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E171

Titanium dioxide

A white mineral pigment used as a colorant and opacifier.

Color

i Additive Details

| Uses

Historically used to whiten icing, candy coatings, chewing gum, salad dressings, coffee creamers, white pastilles, and the surface of baked goods. Still permitted in many countries; banned as a food additive in the EU.

| Precautions

EFSA concluded in 2021 that E171 could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to concerns about genotoxicity from nano-sized particles. The EU prohibited its use in food from August 2022 (Regulation EU 2022/63). Remains permitted in toothpaste, paint, and sunscreen.

| Interactions

Behaves as an opacifier rather than a true dye; it scatters light to make products appear brighter and more uniform. No known biological pathway in normal food use.

| Origin

Mined as the minerals rutile, anatase, and ilmenite, then refined into purified powder by the sulfate or chloride process.

| Daily Intake

No ADI considered safe in the EU since 2022. JECFA's previous evaluation did not establish a numerical ADI, citing limited gastrointestinal absorption.

Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

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