Mica Based Pearlescent Pigment Colours

Mica-based pearlescent pigment colors are food additives that create a shimmery, metallic, or pearl-like appearance. They are made from tiny, transparent flakes of the natural mineral mica, which are then coated with other food-safe color additives, such as titanium dioxide and/or iron oxides.

These pigments are used to add decorative visual effects to foods, giving them a shiny or iridescent finish. They are frequently found in confectionery items like chewing gum, mints, and decorative coatings for candies, as well as in some beverages.

In the US, the FDA permits the use of mica-based pearlescent pigments as color additives exempt from certification, provided they meet specific purity standards and are composed of titanium dioxide and/or iron oxides on mica. These pigments are generally considered safe for consumption at typical levels. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in 2021 that titanium dioxide, a common component of these pigments, could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to concerns about genotoxicity, leading to its ban in the EU in 2022. However, titanium dioxide remains permitted by the FDA in the US. JECFA has evaluated titanium dioxide and did not set a numeric limit (ADI not specified).