Candurin

Candurin is a brand name for a type of pearlescent pigment used as a food color. These pigments are typically made from mica, a naturally occurring mineral, which is coated with other food-safe substances like titanium dioxide or iron oxides to create a shimmering, metallic effect.

Candurin is added to foods primarily for visual appeal, giving them a shiny, pearlescent, or metallic look. It is commonly found in confectionery, such as candies and chocolate coatings, as well as in baking decorations and snack foods like popcorn and nuts.

Mica-based pearlescent pigments are approved by the FDA as color additives for use in certain foods, including confectionery, chewing gum, and decorative coatings. They are generally considered safe for consumption at typical intake levels. JECFA has evaluated mica (potassium aluminum silicate) and did not set a numeric limit (ADI not specified). EFSA has evaluated titanium dioxide (E171), a common component used to coat mica in these pigments, and concluded in 2021 that it could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to genotoxicity concerns. This led to the EU banning titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2022. However, in the US, titanium dioxide remains a permitted food additive by the FDA.