The association Action for the Environment, the origin of this investigation, calls for the suspension of the use of titanium dioxide to all products that can be ingested.
Titanium dioxide, controversial because it contains nanoparticles, is widely present in toothpastes, denounces Thursday the association Acting for the environment, which requires that this product is no longer used in toothpastes and drugs.
The association has studied 408 toothpastes, including 59 for children sold in supermarkets, pharmacies, parapharmacies and organic stores. It turns out that "two-thirds of toothpastes (271 of 408 toothpastes contain titanium dioxide" "one out of two children's toothpaste contains (29 of 59 toothpastes)" and "none of the 271 toothpastes specified on its packaging if the titanium dioxide present is in the nanoparticulate state, "according to a statement from the association.
A suspension announced for mid-April
In May, Secretary of State for Transition Ecology Brown Poirson announced the suspension of the use of titanium dioxide (indicated on labels such as TiO2 or E171) in food products by the end of 2018 - suspension and not prohibition that depends on the European Union. This substance contains nanoparticles - less than 100 nanometers in size that facilitate their penetration into the body - which has been a concern for consumer and environmental groups for several years.
But the Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire had refused to sign the suspension order, putting forward "different assessments" on the potential danger of the product. He then reportedly backed down, according to associations, and pledged to suspend the drug in mid-April. Acting for the environment, to be received Thursday afternoon by the office of Bruno Le Maire, asks "the expansion of the suspension of titanium dioxide to all products that can be totally or partially ingested: toothpaste and drugs (TiO2 is present in excipients of 4,000 drugs) ".
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The association also calls for "an investigation by the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) to check whether the absence of the mention 'nano' on the labeling of toothpastes is justified, as well as that dissuasive sanctions for fraudsters ". She set up a dedicated website toothpaste.infoconso.org.