Pearlescent Pigments

Identifiers

INS No. 176; Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments (PAS-BPP)
INS No. 176(i); Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments coated with titanium dioxide (Type 1)
INS No. 176(ii); Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments coated with Iron oxide (Type II)
INS No. 176(iii); Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments coated with titanium dioxide and Iron oxide (Type III)
Mica-Based Pearlescent Pigments

Physical Description

Potassium aluminum silicate-based pearlescent pigments are formed by depositing titanium and/or iron salts onto mica or potassium aluminium silicate, followed by calcination at high temperatures. The resulting pigment consists of potassium aluminium silicate or mica coated with titanium dioxide, iron oxide and, potentially, mixed oxides.

Specifications

JECFA

US FDA

Regulatory Approvals

JECFA: A PTWI of 2 mg/kg bw for total aluminum was established at the 74th JECFA (2011). The PTWI applies to all aluminum compounds in food, including food additives. ADIs of ‘not limited’ for titanium dioxide and 0-0.5 mg/kg bw for iron oxides were established at the 13th JECFA (1969) and 53rd JECFA (1999), respectively.

USA: Mica-based pearlescent pigments are exempt from certification may be safely used as a color additive in foods in amounts up to 1.25% by weight in cereals, confections and frostings, gelatin desserts, hard and soft candies (including lozenges), nutritional supplement tablets and gelatin capsules, and chewing gum; in amounts up to 0.07 % by weight in distilled spirits containing not less than 18 % and not more than 25% alcohol by volume, in cordials, liqueurs, flavored alcoholic malt beverages, wine coolers, cocktails, and in non-alcoholic cocktail mixes and mixers, such as margarita mix, Bloody Mary mix, and daiquiri mix, but excluding eggnog, tonic water, and beverages that are typically consumed without added alcohol; and in egg decorating kits used for coloring the shells of eggs in amounts consistent with GMP (21 CFR 73.350), to color ingested drugs in amounts up to 3% by weight of the final drug product, with the maximum amount of iron oxide used not to exceed 55% by weight in the finished pigment (21 CFR 73.1350).

EU:  Considered a mixture of E171 with E555.

Safety Reviews

Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Mica-Based Pearlescent Pigments, 80 FR 58600 (Sep 30, 2015). Available online

Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Mica-Based Pearlescent Pigments, 80 FR 32303 (Jun 8, 2015). Available online

Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Mica-Based Pearlescent Pigments, 78 FR 35115 (Jun 12, 2013). Available online

Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Mica-Based Pearlescent Pigments, 71 FR 31927 (June 2, 2006). Available online