The Consumer Council has tested 33 different toothpastes. They have checked whether any of them contain the suspected cancer-causing substance titanium dioxide. 16 of these toothpastes were found to contain the substance. Among them are toothpastes from brands such as Sensodyne and Solidox. Three of the toothpastes aimed at children contain titanium dioxide. According to the Consumer Council, these are Peppa Pig, Flux 6+ and Bamse. Colgate does not contain titanium dioxide, while the toothpastes from Sensodyne and Solidox do, according to the Consumer Council’s test. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news Not listed in the list of ingredients Titanium dioxide is not prohibited in toothpastes, but it is prohibited to use it in foodstuffs in Norway. The substance is also used in well-known medicines such as paracetamol and ibux. It is not forbidden to use it in medicine. Nevertheless, a ban was introduced in 2021 to use the substance in foodstuffs, when the EU’s food safety body EFSA concluded that it was not considered safe to use in food. Some of the manufacturers have not written directly that the toothpastes contain titanium dioxide. Instead, they have listed the code for the substance, CI 77891. You have to read carefully and understand the codes to find out if the toothpastes have titanium dioxide in them. Here the substance hides behind the code CL 77981. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news According to the Consumer Council, this applies to, among other things, toothpastes aimed at adults from Solidox produced by Orkla, and also the toothpastes tested from Coop Xtra and Rema 1000. The toothpastes that were assessed in the Consumer Council’s test Toothpastes with good reviews: Aquafresh Freshmint Triple Protection Colgate Caries Control Colgate Max Fresh Colgate Max White Colgate Anti-Cavity Colgate SensationWhite Flux Against caries 0–6 Jordan Kids Toothpaste 0–5 Jodan Junior Toothpaste 6+ Jordan Kids 0–5 Jordan Junior 6– 12 Solidox Junior 6–12 Solidox Barn 0–5 Zendium Fresh + White Zendium Kids 0–5 Zendium Extra Fresh Zendium Classic Toothpastes with poor rating Flux Against caries 6+ Flux Against caries Jordan Gum Protector Jordan Whitening Advanced Peppa Pig Toothpaste Prima Fluoride toothpaste mint Sence Coolmint Fluor Fresh Sensodyne Original Sensodyne Rapid Relief Sensodyne Proemalj Sensodyne Repair & Protect Sensodyne Gentle Whitening Sensodyne Bamse Solidox Frisk Pust Solidox Total Protection Xtra Toothpaste with fluoride – The toothpaste is completely safe Orkla tells news that the titanium dioxide used in their wax portfolio is completely safe, as the amount used in their toothpastes does not have the worrying effect that EFSA shows in its study. – But because the ingredient is controversial, we are working to find a substitute for titanium dioxide in the products we use it, so that consumers will not feel uncertain when they see the list of ingredients, says communications manager at Orkla Health Elin Reitan. Titanium dioxide is used to make the toothpaste whiter. news’s informal test shows that there are small differences between toothpastes with and without the substance. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news She hopes that they will have replacements in place during 2024. – But all our toothpastes are completely safe to use as they are today, she says. Read the full response from Orkla here: All our toothpastes are completely safe to use. Our children’s and junior toothpastes are completely free of titanium dioxide, while the titanium dioxide used in our adult portfolio is completely safe. It is the case that the study that forms the basis of EFSA’s conclusion to ban titanium dioxide in foodstuffs concluded that it is only titanium dioxide in nanoparticle size that contributes to concern, while larger particles did not produce the same biological response. The titanium dioxide used in our toothpastes has no nano fraction, which means that it does not have the worrying effect, and is therefore completely safe. But as the ingredient is controversial, we are working to find substitutes for titanium dioxide in the products we use it, so that consumers will not have to feel uncertain when they see the ingredient list, and hope to launch this during 2024. But all our toothpastes are thus completely safe to use as they are today. Elin Reitan, communications manager at Orkla Health. Disappointed with the manufacturers The Consumer Council, which has carried out the test, says they are disappointed that so many brands contain titanium dioxide. – We are surprised and disappointed that so many manufacturers still use a substance that is suspected of being carcinogenic and genotoxic. That’s what Elin Vestrum, senior adviser at the Consumer Council, says. She believes the producers must take responsibility. Titanium dioxide powder Photo: LARS EGIL HELSETH/SNL (CC BY SA 3.0) She says the producers should be well aware of the health problems one fears the use of the substance can cause, and refers to the ban on its use in food, which came in 2021. – The producers must take responsibility and stop using substances that are linked to serious health concerns in everyday products such as toothpaste. They can phase out now, they don’t have to sit and wait for a ban on toothpaste before doing so. But is it dangerous? Both yes and no, according to Berit Granum. She is a senior researcher at the Institute of Public Health in the department of chemical toxicology. She says it depends on the way one is exposed to the substance. All these toothpastes have titanium dioxide in them, according to the test. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news This means that it is safe to apply cosmetic products to the skin, as titanium dioxide is not absorbed through the skin. – If it does not enter the body, it is not a health hazard. When it comes to inhalation and oral intake, titanium dioxide can cause some negative health effects, says Granum to news. There are many toothpastes to choose from on Norwegian shop shelves. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news
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The Consumer Council warns against several types of toothpaste
