Titanium Dioxide Color

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral that is processed into a fine, white powder. It is used as a pigment to make things appear brighter and whiter.

In food, titanium dioxide is used as a color additive to make products look whiter or to give them a brighter, more opaque appearance. It is often found in candies, baked goods, icings, and chewing gum.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits titanium dioxide as a color additive in food. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated titanium dioxide. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in 2021 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 continues to permit its use, and it is not included in the FDA's announced plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes.