In their role as risk managers, the European Commission and Member States will now reflect on EFSA’s scientific advice and decide upon any appropriate regulatory measures or advice for consumers.

In addition to controlling the reaction conditions, it is also important to carefully monitor the precipitation process to ensure that the desired precipitation percentage is achieved. This can be done through various analytical techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which can provide valuable insights into the particle size distribution, crystallinity, and purity of the titanium dioxide product.

Titanium dioxide is predominantly used as a pigment in products such as paints, coatings, plastics, food, cosmetics, and paper. The ability of TiO2 to scatter light and provide a white color makes it an essential ingredient in achieving high-quality finishes in these applications. However, the production of titanium dioxide can be complex and costly, given that it involves raw materials such as ilmenite and rutile, as well as advanced processing technologies. Manufacturers are continuously striving to optimize costs without compromising quality, making the search for affordable suppliers a top priority for many businesses.

The updated evaluation revises the outcome of EFSA’s previous assessment published in 2016, which highlighted the need for more research to fill data gaps.  

Color, compared with standard samples

TiO₂ absorbs UV light. This property makes it appear bright white under light, unlike other white materials that can look slightly yellow.

Risk, Side Effects and Dangers

White powder

Overwhelmingly, research that’s relevant to human eating patterns shows us that E171 is safe when ingested normally through foods and drugs (1,2).

Ultimately, most experts advise moderation, as titanium dioxide is typically found in processed foods that come with their own health risks.

Titanium dioxide particles help light scatter and reflect, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a medical toxicology physician at the National Capital Poison Center, told Health. Because of that, we often use it as a whitening agent.

If you want to avoid titanium dioxide, read labels carefully and stick to minimally processed whole foods.

TiO₂ NPs appeared to be more toxic to nematode Caenorhabditis elegans than submicron-sized TiO_2.  At a concentration of 1 mg/l, 7 nm particles affected its fertility and survival rate and were more toxic than 20 nm anatase particles. Similarly, Hu et al. showed that rutile particles (10–20 nm), at concentrations above 1 g/kg soil, can be bio-accumulated in earthworms, where they induce oxidative stress, inhibit the activity of cellulase and induce DNA and mitochondrial damage.