Titanium Dioxide And Yellow 6 Lake

Titanium dioxide is a white, inorganic compound derived from naturally occurring minerals and processed into a fine powder. Yellow 6 Lake is a synthetic color additive made by combining the water-soluble dye Yellow 6 with an insoluble metal salt, typically aluminum hydroxide, making it insoluble in water.

Titanium dioxide is used as a white pigment to make foods brighter and more opaque, commonly found in candies, chewing gum, and pastries. Yellow 6 Lake is used to impart a yellow-orange color, often found in baked goods, candies, beverages, and snack foods.

Both titanium dioxide and Yellow 6 Lake are approved color additives by the FDA. JECFA has evaluated titanium dioxide and set an acceptable daily intake (ADI not specified). EFSA concluded in 2021 that titanium dioxide could no longer be considered safe as a food additive, leading to its ban in the EU in 2022; however, it remains permitted in the US. JECFA has evaluated Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 6. Some studies have suggested a potential link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in children, but the evidence is mixed.