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Ammon News - Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) has stopped granting licenses to any food product that contains titanium dioxide, since its decision last August to ban its use and prohibit its import, or any production inputs containing this additive, and canceling all previous approvals.

In a press statement on Saturday, JFDA Director General, Nizar Mahidat, said a deadline has been given until December 31, to implement the ban completely on this additive and find an opportunity to rectify the situation and replace titanium dioxide with another safe and permitted substance.

This decision, he noted, came as a proactive measure, in light of the decision of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and its continuous updates and studies on the inability to deem titanium dioxide a safe substance for use in the food industry.

Simulatneoulsy, information lacks on this additive as a carcinogenic according to the approved international references, foremost is Codex Alimentarius (CODEX), which still allows its use, he pointed out.

European Union granted approvals for various products containing titanium dioxide, which could reach up to five years preceding the ban decision. The substance is still allowed in a number of countries, including Britain, Australia, the United States of America, Canada and China.