E 171: titanium dioxide

Radiant white thanks to titanium dioxide - learn more about this additive and where it is contained.

E 171: titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide (E 171) is the oxide, ie an oxygen compound, of the naturally occurring metal titanium. It is also called titanium oxide and is used, for example, to give food a bright white color. Read interesting facts about titanium dioxide and its application here.

Product Overview

E 171: titanium dioxide

  • Titanium dioxide - what is it?

  • Where is titanium dioxide used?

  • Titanium dioxide - is it questionable?

Titanium dioxide - what is it?

Titanium dioxide is a food colorant. It carries the European approval number E 171. The white powder is resistant to light, heat and acid, but does not dissolve in liquids. Therefore, it is distributed in the form of tiny particles in each product.

Titanium oxide gives a brilliant white color because the light is completely scattered in the pigment particles. However, the whitening can also be varied. For example, the color iron oxides (E 172) results in brownish hues.

Titanium dioxide is obtained by a chemical reaction with naturally occurring titanium iron ore (ilmenite).

The body can not use E 171, it is excreted undigested again.

Where is titanium dioxide used?

In principle, titanium dioxide can be used for all foods for which an addition of additives is permitted. It must be indicated in the list of ingredients. It must not be used for untreated foods and those that are not to be changed by law. For example, the EC Organic Regulation states that coloring organic foods is forbidden.

Mainly the whitening agent titanium dioxide is used in the following food products:

  • dragees
  • chewing gum
  • coatings

Also used for toothpaste is titanium oxide. However, it does not whiten teeth, just paste. And that's not all: The tiny particles in this dental care product also serve as a scouring agent to remove deposits on the teeth.

In addition to dental care, titanium dioxide is also used in cosmetics, medicines, sunscreen products and paints.

Titanium dioxide - is it questionable?

The coloring material titanium dioxide is classified as harmless. For him, therefore, no "Acceptable Daily Intake" (ADI value), ie a permitted daily dose, set.

There is evidence that E171 can cause cancer when inhaled. Then it can settle in the lungs. A few percent of the nanoparticles also enter the rest of the body, where it does not degrade even after several weeks.

The fact that titanium dioxide, which is ingested orally, has similar or even detrimental effects on health, so far there is no evidence. And the studies with inhaled titanium oxide were performed only with rats. Even scientists assume that only extremely high doses could harm - but those are hardly to be expected in the body.

If you still want to be sure, you should bring products with you Titanium dioxide avoid, so study the list of ingredients and in case of doubt to organic products, in which artificial dyes are completely prohibited.
E 171: titanium dioxide

FAQ - 💬

❓ What foods contain E171?

👉 Titanium dioxide (also known as TiO2 or e-number E171) is used as a colouring in a variety of food products including chewing gum, candies, pastries, cake decorations and chocolate.

❓ What is the E number for titanium dioxide?

👉 E 171Titanium dioxide (E 171) is authorised as a food additive in the EU according to Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

❓ Is E171 carcinogenic?

👉 It found that the data on E171 showed no health concerns for consumers. The safety of E171 is not influenced by the particle size because it is not absorbed into the human body.

❓ Why is TiO2 banned?

👉 In May 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion that stated that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive. Based on this opinion, the European Commission and the Member States agreed to remove all uses of titanium dioxide as an additive in food.

❓ How does titanium dioxide affect the body?

👉 ► Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. since it has been shown to cause lung cancer in animals. a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans.

❓ Does mayonnaise have titanium dioxide?

👉 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles can be present in products including mayonnaise and chewing gum. It is normally found in 'high quantities'​ as it has a whitening function.

❓ Is E171 harmful?

👉 It clearly underlined that titanium dioxide has the potential to induce DNA stand breaks and chromosomal damage, a concern for genotoxicity could not be ruled out. Therefore, the expert panel of EFSA concluded that E171 “can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive”.

❓ What is E171 Halal?

👉 Halal Titanium Dioxide E171 is a naturally occurring oxide of titanium, available as WHITE POWDER. As a synthesized chemical, this food colorant is general recognized as halal. Titanium Dioxide E171 is a Inorganic chemical and use in food products to provide white color.

❓ What does titanium dioxide do to the body if eaten?

👉 There are no known side effects of consuming titanium dioxide. However, animal studies suggest that inhalation of its dust may be linked to lung cancer.

❓ Is titanium dioxide harmful to the body?

👉 ► Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. since it has been shown to cause lung cancer in animals. a carcinogen. Such substances may also have the potential for causing reproductive damage in humans.

❓ Is E171 banned in US?

👉 The additive, also known as E171, joins a host of other chemicals that are banned in foods in the European Union but allowed in the US.


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