Titanium dioxide
Permitted in AU-NZ and US. No evidence of harm at dietary intake.
- Category
- Colours
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Titanium dioxide (E171) is a naturally occurring mineral. It is the brightest, most effective white pigment in the world, capable of making foods look brilliantly white and opaque. It is the same compound used in sunscreen and white wall paint.
How it is used in food
Provides a brilliant-white mineral pigment.
Commonly found in- Candy coatings (like Skittles or M&Ms)
- Chewing gum and mints
- White cake frosting and icing
- Coffee creamers
Health and safety
Potential DNA damage from accumulating nanoparticles.
Titanium dioxide is at the center of a major global safety dispute. The powder contains a significant portion of nanoparticles—particles so incredibly small they can pass through the intestinal wall and accumulate in the body. In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded they could no longer rule out that these nanoparticles cause genotoxicity (damage to DNA).
Potential genotoxicity (DNA damage)
EFSA concluded that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can accumulate in the body and potentially cause genotoxicity—damage to the DNA—which is a precursor to cancer. Because a safe threshold could not be established, it was banned in Europe.
Banned in the EU in 2022 as EFSA could no longer rule out genotoxicity; still legal in the US.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted. FSANZ reviewed the EFSA data and declined to ban it. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Banned | Banned for use as a food additive in the EU as of 2022. |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Approved by the FDA (capped at 1% of food weight). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E171
- Colour index
- 77891
Also printed asTiO2 · Titanium white
Alternatives to this additive
- E170: Calcium carbonate — Chalk. It provides a white colour, though it is far less bright and opaque than titanium dioxide.
How it is made
Mined from titanium-bearing ores like ilmenite or rutile, it is heavily processed and milled into an ultra-fine powder.
- Mining and Processing — Titanium ore is mined and purified using sulfate or chloride processes.
- Milling — The purified titanium dioxide is milled into a microscopic powder.
Worth knowing
Also used in paint and sunscreen.
Conclusion
Following EFSA's findings, E171 was completely banned as a food additive across the EU in 2022. However, the US FDA and health authorities in the UK and Australia disagreed with EFSA's methodology and continue to permit its use.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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