Health Week

Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV) oxide or titania /taɪˈteɪniə/, is the inorganic compound derived from titanium with the chemical formula TiO. 2. . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6 (PW6), or CI 77891.

FDA says it causes cancer. Yet it’s in hundreds of candies.   Huda Matte Lip Color Lipstick 12 Scientists urge FDA to ban Red 3—already illegal in cosmetics—from foods, ingested drugs, and supplements. It’s illegal to use the carcinogenic color additive Red 3 in cosmetics, such as lipsticks or blush, or externally applied drugs. Yet the discredited chemical is lurking in common varieties of candy corn, Nerds, Peeps, Pez, SweeTarts, and hundreds of candies, cakes, and other foods, including dozens of seasonal Halloween items. That’s why the Center for Science in the Public Interest and 23 other organizations and prominent...

Propylparaben is the benzoate ester that is the propyl ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Preservative typically found in many water-based cosmetics, such as creams, lotions, shampoos and bath products. Also used as a food additive. It has a role as an antifungal agent and an antimicrobial agent. Propylparaben is a synthetic compound that acts like estrogen in the body and can disrupt the endocrine system. It has been shown to cause reproductive issues and endocrine disruption in lab animals, and some studies suggest it may be linked to diminished fertility in humans. Other potential dangers of propylparaben include: Reproductive toxicity Propylparaben may reduce sperm production...

Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is a white, crystalline powder that can cause serious health issues if breathed in, passed through the skin, or ingested: Potassium bromate is banned in several countries, including Brazil, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, but it's still legal for use in the U.S., where the FDA hasn't reviewed it since at least 1973. Bakers who come into contact with too much potassium bromate may experience symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.  In 1999, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), categorized potassium bromate as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” It has been banned as a...

Brominated vegetable oil, sometimes listed as BVO on product labels, was recently banned from foods and beverages sold in California.   On July 3, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked its authorization for the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food, with the ban taking effect on August 2, 2024. The FDA concluded that BVO is no longer safe to consume after studies with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found potential adverse health effects in humans. Evidence suggests that consuming BVO may be linked to thyroid problems, heart issues, and behavioral changes. There are also case reports of...