Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral that is processed into a fine white powder. It is a pigment derived from titanium, a metal found in the Earth's crust.

In food, titanium dioxide is used to make products appear whiter and brighter, and to provide opacity. It helps give a uniform color and prevents other colors from showing through. It is commonly found in candies, powdered drinks, and baked goods like cookies.

In the United States, the FDA permits titanium dioxide as a color additive in food. JECFA has evaluated titanium dioxide and set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) not specified. However, in 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that titanium dioxide could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to concerns about potential genotoxicity, leading to its ban in the EU as of 2022. The FDA maintains its approval, and titanium dioxide is not part of the FDA's announced plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes.