And The Following: Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral that is processed into a fine white powder. It is a pigment used to provide whiteness and opacity.

In foods, titanium dioxide is used as a white color additive to make products appear brighter and more opaque. It is commonly found in candies, chewing gum, and some baked goods.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of titanium dioxide as a color additive in food. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated titanium dioxide. However, in 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that titanium dioxide could no longer be considered safe as a food additive, leading to its ban in the European Union in 2022. The FDA maintains that the available evidence does not suggest safety concerns under current use conditions. Titanium dioxide is not among the petroleum-based synthetic dyes that the FDA plans to phase out.