mmm, mmm, mica...

This fall the FDA approved the use of opalescent pigments in food products. German-based pharmaceutical giant Merck KGaA was approved to use the coating on pharmaceutical drugs earlier in the year. The secret behind the Candurin hues is mica covered in titanium dioxide.

In food products, Merck imagines the colors being used in everything from breakfast cereals to throat lozenges. Of course, the pigments will also be used to market (brand) pharmaceuticals and prevent counterfeiting. I'm all for consuming my share of soft minerals, but do we really need to make our drugs look like yummy pieces of candy?
via Slashfood