the giant of confectionery Mars was sued by a consumer who says its Skittles product is "unfit for human consumption". According to NBC News, the lawsuit is filed by Jenile Thames in California, who says the product contains "high levels" of titanium dioxide (TiO2) - a color additive. However, the accused company claims that it complies with FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations. Check out more information about the Skittles contain dangerous toxin.
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Mars wants to remove the use of TiO2 from its products
The company uses titanium dioxide to produce Skittles' famous artificial color. However, the suit alleges that Mars, which continues to use the additive in its US products, fails to inform consumers about the effects of consuming the toxin.
However, in 2016, the large candy company publicly stated that it intended to remove titanium dioxide from its products in the coming years, but the substance is still used in Skittles today.
Titanium dioxide is not prohibited
Color additives are generally safe to use in food coloring under federal FDA regulations. However, there are restrictions, such as, for example, the amount of titanium dioxide must not exceed 1% of the weight of the food.
banned in france
The lawsuit document notes that the substance was banned in France in 2019, and Mars said it would comply with new laws there. That's because the European Food Safety Authority concluded in May that titanium dioxide cannot be considered safe to eat and will therefore be banned.
More process information
The document in the lawsuit also states that consumers face an increased risk of a range of health effects they are not aware of, namely genotoxicity. In addition, he says that this substance would have the ability to alter DNA.
It also states that titanium dioxide, used in adhesives, plastics, paints, coatings and other materials, has been shown to be able to cross biological membranes, circulate in the body and enter the cells.
Finally, it alleges that Thames would not have bought Skittles if it had known that the product contained titanium dioxide and is seeking damages for fraud as well as violations of California consumer protection laws.