Titanium Dioxide

Identifiers

INS No. 171
E171
CAS No. 13463-67-7
CI Pigment White 6
Titania

Physical Description

Titanium Dioxide occurs as a white, amorphous powder. It is produced by either the sulfate or the chloride process, and processing conditions determine the form, either anatase or rutile, of the final product.

Common Uses

Titanium dioxide can be used to color cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, pet foods and foods including confectionery goods, bakery products, dairy products, cheeses, icings and decorations, frozen desserts, non-dairy creamers, and dried soup.

Specifications

Regulatory Approvals

JECFA: ADI “not specified” (97th meeting, 2023). Titanium dioxide (INS No 171) is included in Table 3 of the General Standard of Food Additives (GSFA), and as such may be used in specified foods under the conditions of good manufacturing practices (GMP) as outlined in the Preamble of the Codex GSFA.

USA: Titanium dioxide was permanently listed as exempt from certification in 1973. Currently, titanium dioxide may be safely used for coloring foods generally, as long as the quantity of titanium dioxide does not exceed 1% by weight of the food (21 CFR 73.575), for coloring ingested and externally applied drugs generally, in amounts consistent with GMP (21 CFR 73.1575), and in cosmetics, including cosmetics intended for use in the area of the eye in amounts consistent with GMP (21 CFR 73.2575).

EU: Titanium dioxide is no longer authorized for use in food. The substance is used in medicinal products in accordance with Directive 2009/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 109, 30.4.2009, p. 10).’; Regulation EU No 2022/63

Safety Reviews

Safety evaluation of certain food additives: prepared by the ninety-seventh meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO Food additive series; 88, 2024. Available online

EFSA FAF Panel (EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings), 2021. Scientific Opinion on the safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 2021;19(5):6585, 130 pp. Available online

FDA Final rule (Foods generally limited to 1.0%. Ingested and external drugs generally). 31 FR 1065; Jan 27, 1966. Available online

FDA Final rule (Cosmetics including eye area). 38 FR 8650; Apr 5, 1973. Available online