Titanium Dioxide (E171) in Food
Moderate burden — Titanium Dioxide (E171) in Food adds a moderate, reducible exposure.
A white colourant in sweets, icing, sauces and supplements.
The breakdown
Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)
Evidence strength: moderate · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.
What this means for you
A Detox Score of 47 places titanium dioxide (e171) in food in the Moderate band. 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.
Frequently asked questions
Is titanium dioxide (e171) in food a toxic exposure?
Titanium Dioxide (E171) in Food has a Detox Score of 47 out of 100 (Moderate burden), which means it adds a moderate, reducible exposure. 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.
What is a safer alternative to titanium dioxide (e171) in food?
A lower-exposure swap for titanium dioxide (e171) in food is: Products with no 'titanium dioxide' or 'E171' on the ingredient list. 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.