Warning! Foods Sold in Arizona Could Contain THIS Harmful Ingredient

Recently, I've been working on cleaning up my diet. Until a few months ago, I hadn't paid much attention to the foods I've been eating, and my body is beginning to feel it.

I was choosing too many processed foods and ignoring labels and began to feel the fallout with weight gain, brain fog, and general sluggishness.

It was time for a change, so I consulted with a nutritionist. She encouraged me to read labels and advised me on the finer points of buying real, whole, single-ingredient foods.

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With our crazy pace of life, it's not always possible or practical to follow a clean diet. It's alarming to consider that some foods sold in Arizona grocery stores contain toxic ingredients.

And according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it's perfectly legal. Health practitioners say you should avoid this food additive at all costs.

FDA Bans This Dangerous Ingredient Found in Arizona Foods

Arizona Asks: What is "Generally Regarded As Safe"

The FDA classifies ingredients for use in foods. One designation is GRAS.

"GRAS," stands for Generally Recognized as Safe. Essentially, the FDA uses this category to indicate that the substance, when added to food, is "considered safe by qualified experts under the conditions of its intended use."

To be classified as GRAS, the substance must undergo scientific testing and have a substantial history of consumption before 1958. Food safety experts emphasize the importance of quantity in the GRAS equation.

A substance may not have much effect in small doses. However, the ingredient may cause health issues or toxicity in larger amounts.

It's all about dosage. Imagine the difference between spilling a glass of water on your floor and having a pipe burst—it's kind of like that.

A Possibly Toxic Food Ingredient: Titanium dioxide

The amount considered "safe" varies depending on the substance and its intended use. A particularly problematic substance called Titanium dioxide has come into the spotlight recently, and a whopping number of products sold in Arizona's foods contain it.

15 Risky Foods Sold in Arizona That Could Destroy Your Health

According to the FDA, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is "a synthetically produced white pigment, manufactured from naturally occurring ores." It's a common food additive used to make foods look whiter and brighter. Here are some of the products that can contain titanium dioxide:

• Candies: Skittles, M&Ms, and other hard-shelled candies.
• Baked Goods: Frostings, icings, and some commercial cakes.
• Dairy Products: Certain types of cottage cheese and dairy-based beverages.
• Processed Foods: Instant mixes and powdered foods.
• Snack Foods: Some brands of chips and crackers.

While the FDA has continued to allow this chemical additive in foods, the European Union banned it in 2022. Eating one bag of Skittles wouldn't cause much harm, but the substance is found in MANY foods in Arizona, and the cumulative effects could be a problem.

Studies have shown that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can accumulate in human organs, building up in the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen. That can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and even cause damage to DNA, potentially leading to cancer.

Finding Titanium dioxide on food labels can be tricky. It can be listed as either "artificial color" or "colored with titanium dioxide." If you see either of these designations on your food label, nutritionists advise putting it back on the shelf and buying something else.

Sources: FDA | Natural Health Group | EFSA | USAToday