Artificial Color Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral that is refined into a fine white powder for use in food. It is a compound of titanium and oxygen, found in various rocks and sands.

Manufacturers add titanium dioxide to food products to make them appear whiter and more opaque. It is commonly found in candies, chewing gum, some baked goods, and dessert toppings.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits titanium dioxide as a food additive. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated titanium dioxide. However, in 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to concerns about genotoxicity, leading to its ban in the European Union in 2022. The FDA has not changed its stance, and it remains permitted in the US. It is important to note that titanium dioxide is not part of the FDA's announced plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes.