Titanium Dioxide (E171)
Titanium dioxide (E171) is a white pigment. It has not been authorised as a food additive in the EU since 2022, because EFSA could not rule out a genotoxicity concern.
What it is
It whitened sweets, chewing gum, icing and supplements. Outside food it still appears in other products, such as cosmetics and paints. Those uses follow other rules.
How IngrediScan rates it
These levels come from the fixed rules in the IngrediScan app. A low level means the rules found little or no concern for that profile. It does not mean the ingredient is safe for everyone.
| Profile | Food | Skin (cosmetics) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Critical | No concern found |
| Child | Critical | No concern found |
| Infant | Critical | No concern found |
| Dog | Critical | No concern found |
| Cat | Critical | No concern found |
The app flags the food use because EU law no longer allows it in food and EFSA could not rule out genotoxicity. Dogs and cats get the same flag, based on EFSA's 2021 opinion on feed. For skin use, the app found no concern in the cosmetic safety opinions.
Basis of the ratings: ban, limit or official classification.
Possible concerns: Genotoxic, Immunotoxic, Prohibited in the EU.
The app's rationale (exact text)
- Adult (food), Child (food), Infant (food): EFSA FAF 2021: genotoxicity concern for E171 cannot be ruled out, no ADI — no longer considered safe as a food additive.
- Dog (food), Cat (food): EFSA FEEDAP 2021: genotoxicity concern for titanium dioxide cannot be ruled out, so it is no longer considered safe as a feed additive.
Rules and use
Not authorised in food in the EU since 7 February 2022 (Regulation (EU) 2022/63). Foods placed on the market before 7 August 2022 could stay on sale until their expiry date. Rules outside the EU differ.
IARC classification: Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans (route: inhalation of powder; food (E171) ingestion differs). IARC rates whether a substance can cause cancer in principle (hazard). It does not rate the risk at normal intake.
Read the guide: E-numbers explained
Sources
- Reg. (EU) 2022/63: titanium dioxide (E 171) in food
- EFSA 2021: safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E 171)
- EFSA 2021: titanium dioxide (E 171) no longer considered safe as a food additive
- Reg. (EU) 2021/2090: titanium dioxide denied as a feed additive
- EFSA: titanium dioxide no longer considered safe as a feed additive (2021)
Related ingredients
The assessment is for information only. It does not replace the manufacturer's label or advice from a doctor or vet. Text recognition (OCR) can miss part of a label. No result does not mean the product is safe.