Ditch ‘possibly carcinogenic’ white color for clean label rice starch, says Beneo

By Oliver Nieburg

- Last updated on GMT

Rice starch a natural alternative to potential carcinogenic white color Titanium dioxide, claims Beneo
Rice starch a natural alternative to potential carcinogenic white color Titanium dioxide, claims Beneo

Related tags Starch

Confectioners should replace white color titanium dioxide with rice starch to alleviate consumer health concerns, says supplier Beneo, even though toxicity has not been demonstrated by any authority in typical food uses.

Rudy Wouters, vice president of Beneo’s Technology Center told ConfectioneryNews that artificial color titanium dioxide had been flagged as a possible cancer risk and moving to a natural alternative would meet strong consumer demand for clean label products.

“In confectionery there are ingredients coming under pressure and titanium dioxide is one of them,” ​he said.

Titanium dioxide: exposure, risk, perception

Titanium dioxide is used as a whitener in many confectionery products such as chewing gum and sugar coated candies but is most commonly used in sunscreens. The additive has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as, ''possibly carcinogenic to humans'', ​although this was in relation to respiratory exposure among workers manufacturing the chemical.

In the food supply, no conclusive link has been established between titanium dioxide and health risks, though one study​ has suggested a link to Crohn’s disease.

European Food Safety Authority on titanium dioxide

EFSA told ConfectioneryNews in 2012: “We are not aware of any scientific data supporting possible carcinogenic effects of oral exposure to titanium dioxide. In its 2004 Opinion, the former EFSA AFC Panel reported a 2-year oral carcinogenicity study in mice and rats which was considered negative. Another study in which rats were administered titanium dioxide coated mica in the diet for 130 weeks was also negative.”

“Titanium dioxide is still a big additive and I don’t think it’s a health concern – it’s an image thing like aspartame,” ​said Wouters.

Cleaner image, cleaner label

That image problem is enough to provoke Beneo to suggest replacing titanium dioxide with natural alternative rice starch to give products a cleaner label.

“You see more and more clean label. Customers want to replace modified starches with natural starches,” ​said Wouters.

Natural or additive/preservative-free claims are the most popular claim for confectionery product launches in the US and Europe, accounting for around 15% of all launches in 2012, according to Innova Market Insights.

Replacing titanium dioxide, labelled E171, with rice starch, labelled starch, allows confectioners to limit e-number declarations on product packaging.

Wouters said that confectioners could make a natural claim with rice starch provided other ingredients were from natural sources, as rice starch was derived without changes to the properties and without chemicals.

Smoother coating

“It gives you a very white appearance,” ​said Wouters. “The particle size is also unique.”

According to Beneo, rice starch granules are finer than most other starches enabling a smoother, more even coating for products.

However, Wouters conceded there were cost differences.

“Rich starch is not a very expensive ingredient, but you need a higher dosage to replace titanium dioxide.”

While the required amount of titanium dioxide ranges between 0.5-1% of any product volume, the necessary amount for rice starch is approximately 5%.

Wouters said that consumers were willing to pay more for natural confectionery products, which would outweigh any potential price differences.

Big players considering rice starch, says Beneo

Rice starch has been used as a white colorant for around four years in the food industry. It has a neutral taste profile and Beneo claims it is easy to process.

“It’s not the small brands that are interested, it’s the serious players that are looking into it,”​ said Wouters.

Beneo recommends rice starch variety Remy B7. “The B7 has the highest starting gel point, which gives a better color,”​ said Wouters.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Machu Picchu Foods expands chocolate production lines

Machu Picchu Foods expands chocolate production lines

Content provided by Machu Picchu Foods: Contract manufacturer of chocolates and snacks | 02-Feb-2024 | Product Brochure

Leading Peruvian manufacturer Machu Picchu Foods debuts cutting-edge production lines for filled chocolate bars, truffles, and crispy wafer snacks.

Related suppliers

2 comments

Response: Scaremongering

Posted by Oliver Nieburg,

We've updated the story to clarify the IARC position and have included a statement from EFSA declaring that it sees no health risks with titanium dioxide in food. The issue is more consumer perception - which may well be unfounded. The changes should take effect shortly.

Report abuse

Scare mongering? Titanium dioxide article

Posted by Brian Matthews,

As I understand it the IARC monograph identifies titanium dioxide as a potential hazard following occupation exposure by inhalation - http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Publications/techrep42/TR42-4.pdf

Perhaps the author of this article could comment on the relevance of this for consumers of cosmetic products?

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars