After pressure from a advocacy group, Dunkin' Donuts has announced that it plans to remove a potentially harmful nanomaterial from its doughnuts.

MarketWatch reports that the San Francisco-based group "As You Sow," commissioned an independent study that they found a nanoparticle called titanium dioxide in Dunkin' Donut's recipe.  The group says some companies, including Dunkin' Donuts are not even aware of the presence of nanomaterials in their products. MarketWatch reports that titanium dioxide is used to brighten white substances.

ABC7Chicago reports that

The study tested 10 types of powdered doughtnuts, finding titanium dioxide both in Hostess Donettes and Dunkin' Donuts powdered cake doughnuts. As You Sow commissioned the study because they believe that some companies are not even aware of the presence of nanomaterials in their products.

The Food and Drug administration has not issued any final conclusion in reference to the possible dangers of nanomaterials. They have only issued guidance for the food industry's use of them, asking them to take extreme precaution and test for safety concerns.

According to Marketwatch Dunkin' Brands Chief Communications Officer Karen Raskopf issued a statement saying the titanium dioxide used in Dunkin' Donuts' powdered doughnuts "does not meet the definition of 'nanoparticle' as outlined by the FDA guidance."

 

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