E171 can be used for something as simple as making transparent things loose the transparency. Especially used in light products that have a tendency to become to watery and transparent. E171 was added to soy protein to being able to detect if to much soy was added to meat. In that form it was more a tracking agent than a additive. White in colour, Titanium dioxide is extracted from the naturally occurring mineral Ilmenite, (named after the Ilmen Mountains in Russia), an iron-black, heavy, metallic oxide mineral, composed of iron and titanium oxide.
Thought not to be easily absorbed, although detectable amounts can be found in the blood, brain and glands with the highest concentrations being in the lymph nodes and lungs, it is excreted from the body with urine.
Can be found in tablets and capsules, cottage and Mozzarella cheeses, horseradish cream and sauces, lemon curd, toothpaste, and white paint, also in sweets where it is often used to provide a barrier between different colours. Used to increase opacity in some sauces.
Banned in Germany.
No adverse effects are known.
Is known to pollute waterways.
