Why Americans Are Eating a Sunscreen Ingredient in Their Frozen Pizza

June 11, 2024

(Wall Street Journal) – If you have heard of titanium dioxide at all, you probably know it as an ingredient in sunscreen. But it is also used in lots of foods, from pizza and salsa to frosting and candy—and now, there is growing concern about the potential health risks of eating it.

The ingredient helps block the sun’s rays when we slather it on our skin at the beach. Food makers use it to brighten up colors—think whiter mozzarella on your frozen pizza or more vibrant hues in your Skittles. Some research, mainly in animals, has suggested that eating it might be linked to immune system problems, inflammation and DNA damage that could lead to cancer. (Read More)