Health « Thurles Information

Titanium Dioxide No Longer Authorised As Food Additive in European Union.

Titanium Dioxide is no longer authorised as a food additive in the European Union, with effect from August 7th 2022.

Titanium dioxide is being banned in the EU as a possible carcinogen. [Note: A carcinogen is a substance, organism or agent capable of causing cancer.]

A class action lawsuit, which was filed recently in California, claims that sweets company ‘Mars’ failed to adequately warn customers about the chemical, titanium dioxide, and therefore committed a fraud of omission.
Mars says that ‘Skittles‘ are made in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, which permit the use of titanium dioxide at less than 1% of the food’s dried weight, and that the company has done nothing wrong.

Titanium dioxide (E171) is an additive that is used in food as a colour. Its function is to make food more visually appealing, to give colour to food that would otherwise be colourless, or to restore the original appearance of food. Titanium dioxide is used to provide whiteness and opacity to foods.

In terms of dietary exposure, titanium dioxide is often used in a variety of food categories, including bakery products, soups, broths, sauces, salads, savoury based sandwich spreads and processed nuts. It is also used in confectionary, chewing gum, food supplements and cake icing.

In May 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion that stated that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.

Based on this opinion, the European Commission and the Member States agreed to remove all uses of titanium dioxide as an additive in food. In January 2022, a Regulation withdrawing the authorisation to use titanium dioxide as a food additive in food products was adopted i.e. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63.

This regulation entered into force on February 7th, 2022. However, the Regulation included a six-month transitional period to allow food businesses time to phase out the use of this food additive and to reformulate their products using suitable alternatives. This period will now end on August 7th, 2022.

Food containing titanium dioxide that is lawfully placed on the EU market before August 7th, 2022 may remain on the market until its date of minimum durability or its ‘use-by’ date has passed. Food produced or placed on the market after August 7th 2022 cannot contain titanium dioxide. The ban on the use of titanium dioxide is effective in each EU Member State, and in Northern Ireland. Some third countries, such as the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland), continue to permit the use of titanium dioxide.

All food businesses currently using titanium dioxide as a food additive have a legal responsibility to comply with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2022/63, banning the use of titanium dioxide.
The FSAI encourages food businesses to source suitable alternatives to titanium dioxide and start the process of reformulation now to ensure compliance in advance of the ban coming into force on August 7th 2022.

Allergy Alert Notification In Relation To Dunnes Stores White Sub Rolls

Yesterday the Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued an allergy alert notification in relation to Dunnes Stores White Sub Rolls (4 Semolina Dusted White Sub Rolls); pack size: 290 g; best before date: 17/07/2022.

The implicated batch of Dunnes Stores White Sub Rolls were improperly or incorrectly packaged, with Dunnes Stores Floury White Baps. This bap product contains milk and eggs, which are not declared on the list of ingredients .

This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to, or intolerant of milk or eggs.

Sewer Gas Emanated From Liberty Square, Thurles, During Recent Music Festival.

Sewer gas is a by-product of the breakdown of natural human waste. Same substance comprises of a mixture of gases, including Hydrogen sulphide, Ammonia, Methane and Carbon dioxide.

The hydrogen sulphide in sewer gas is what gives it its signature rotten egg stench, which currently is being experienced by Thurles residents, following the recent upgrading of Liberty Square in the town.

Possibly the worst stench is located east of the Liberty Square, close to a primary School, but nevertheless emanates from several manhole covers in the area, depending on the prevailing wind.

During last weekend’s Musical Festival, the matter was drawn to the attention of Festival Chairperson and local Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, who admitted that the matter required serious attention.

High level exposure to sewer gas can cause symptoms of ‘sewer gas poisoning’. There are numerous possible causes for sewer gas smell, 90% of which are the result of improperly placed or damaged drainage pipes.

Sewer gas can leak into buildings when plumbing vents are: (1) installed too close to a window or door; (2) through cracks in the foundation of buildings; (3) clogged up or collapsed drains or (4) air intake vents due to sewer gas building up in other nearby sewer pipes.

As we are all aware, sewer drains are responsible for the transportation of toxic waste and if drains are clogged from items that should NOT have been flushed, same can cause a sewage backup. If this backup is not treated, the content in clogged pipes will continue to decompose, thus leaking sewer gas back into homes and business premises.
Water movement through sewer systems in Liberty Square, latter which normally helps to provide a barrier against potentially harmful gases, does not seem to be functioning at present.

Sewer gas is a complex mixture of various gases and compounds, some of which can be toxic to humans, and while same is not dangerous in small amounts, these compounds can contribute to sewer gas toxicity at high levels.

Hydrogen sulphide, the primary gas in sewer gas, is toxic to the oxygen systems in the body. In high amounts it can cause adverse symptoms, organ damage, leading often to death.

Ammonia, remains a well-known compound used in many cleaning products. Exposure to this latter substance can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. At high levels, ammonia is toxic to humans and again it can cause organ damage.

Methane and Carbon dioxide are both comparatively non-toxic greenhouse gases. However, in large amounts, methane gas mixed with air is extremely flammable and therefore becomes a fire hazard and can be easily ignited by sparks induced by minor frictional impact.

In industrial workplaces and confined room areas, high levels of sewer gas can cause fatigue, headaches, vomiting, dizziness or light-headedness, poor memory and concentration, a loss of smell, dry mouth, throat or lung irritation, eye irritation or contagious conjunctivitis and even seizures.

Time for Tipperary Co. Council officials & local Councillors to now get this Liberty Square issue immediately sorted out, before the area becomes totally uninhabited.

Mask Wearing Predicted To Be Introduced To Combat Future Covid-19 Virus.

Co. Tipperary has third highest number of PCR-confirmed cases in the last 14 days in the Irish Republic.

Figures provided by the Government’s Covid-19 data hub indicate that 1,207 positive PCR results were notified yesterday, together with 2,501 positive antigen test results.

This latest data brings the Covid death toll in the Irish Republic to 7,571, while a total of 1,628,745 cases have been confirmed, since the initial onset of the pandemic.

Figures available as of yesterday morning, indicate that there were 1,018 people in hospital with the virus, with 45 patients receiving treatment in Intensive Care Units across the State.

Co. Laois is the county with the highest number of PCR-confirmed cases in the last 14 days standing at 785.2 cases per 100,000 people. This is followed closely by Co. Waterford at 706.7, and Co. Tipperary at 696.9.

New figures, published in the United Kingdom, show that more than 200,000 people have had Covid-19 recorded on their death certificates, since the start of the pandemic.

Above figures come amid predictions that mask-wearing could return later this year in an effort to further tackle the spread of the killer virus.

High Court Award €1.55m To North Tipperary Resident.

A Tipperary resident who suffered a brain injury, latter having been knocked to the ground by a soapbox kart; following a downhill race in Roscrea, North Co. Tipperary, has settled a High Court action for €1.55m.

Mr Donal Walsh, aged 64 years, a retired army private, who had been acting as a ‘Steward’ at the Roscrea Soapbox Race, in Roscrea almost six years ago, was then walking back up the hill, where the racing had been taking place when a kart, knocked him to the ground.

Mr Walsh had sued the organisers of the Soapbox Race, Mr Shane Lee and Mr Eoghan Fogarty, latter with addresses in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and Country Sports Ireland, with an address at Kilrea, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, as a result of the accident at the Soap Box Race in Roscrea which had taken place on September 11th, 2016.

Mr Patrick Treacy SC, instructed by Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, informed the High Court that the racing had finished, when it was decided to have one further run.

Mr Walsh had seen two karts pass him on Convent Hill, Roscrea, but a wheel had come off one of the karts, latter which then crashed in to him, knocking him forcefully to the ground; same collision resulting in him receiving a strong blow to his skull.

Mr Walsh lost consciousness and was immediately transferred to hospital, where it was discovered, he had suffered a brain injury.

Mr Justice Michael Hanna, approving the settlement, wished Mr Walsh and his family well.