Titanium Dioxide (E171) in Food

A white colourant in sweets, icing, sauces and supplements.

47Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapProducts with no 'titanium dioxide' or 'E171' on the ingredient list

How this score is built

100Start
77Chemical hazard 5 × 4.6−23
60Everyday exposure 5 × 3.4−17
47Persistence 5 × 2.6−13
ModerateThe band47 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	5/10	EFSA's panel could not rule out a genotoxicity concern for TiO2 particles and concluded E 171 can no longer be considered safe as a food additive. Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive · EFSA J 2021 DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6585 · PMID 33976718 · Abstract, genotoxicity conclusion · read 2026-10-02
Everyday exposure	5/10	unsourced input
Persistence	5/10	Gastrointestinal absorption of TiO2 particles is low, but they may accumulate in the body. Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive · EFSA J 2021 DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6585 · PMID 33976718 · Abstract, absorption and accumulation · read 2026-10-02

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

In 2021 the European food-safety regulator concluded E171 can no longer be considered safe as a food additive, because genotoxicity could not be ruled out and the particles accumulate slowly in the body. The EU withdrew it from food; it is still permitted in the US, so labels are worth reading.

Evidence strength: moderate

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Lower-exposure choices

Cruciferous VegetablesMinimal · Food

Filtered Black CoffeeMinimal · Food

Small Oily Fish (Sardines)Low · Food

Organic StrawberriesLow · Food

All 50 food entries, highest burden first →