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Food additives · Titanium dioxide

Where titanium dioxide is banned, and why

By · Published · Last checked

Where it stands

E171 · Banned in 1 of 8 · Allowed in 2 of 3 in North America

  • European UnionBanned

    Banned since 7 Aug 2022 (Regulation 2022/63).

  • United KingdomAllowed

    Allowed in Great Britain after a 2022 review. Northern Ireland follows the EU ban.

  • ChinaNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check GB 2760-2024, the national food additive standard.

  • RussiaNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check EAEU technical regulation TR CU 029/2012 on additives.

  • JapanNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check MHLW list of designated food additives.

  • United StatesAllowed

    Permitted. A petition to revoke it has been pending at FDA since 2023.

  • CanadaAllowed

    Health Canada's 2022 review found no concern at current levels.

  • MexicoNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check the COFEPRIS acuerdo on additives and processing aids.

Also banned in: None outside the EU in this dataset

Why is it restricted?

In 2021 the European Food Safety Authority said it could not rule out damage to DNA, so it could no longer call E171 safe. Canada, the UK, Australia/NZ and the WHO expert committee reviewed the same data and kept it.

Where is it found?

Candy shells, frosting, chewing gum, some baked goods.

How do I spot it on a label?

  • titanium dioxide
  • E171
  • colour
  • artificial color

What you can do: In Canada and the US it may hide under "colour" or "color added". White candy coatings are the most common place to find it.

Quick answers

Is titanium dioxide allowed in food in Canada?
Allowed. Health Canada's 2022 review found no concern at current levels.
Is titanium dioxide allowed in food in the United States?
Allowed. Permitted. A petition to revoke it has been pending at FDA since 2023.
Is titanium dioxide allowed in food in the European Union?
Banned. Banned since 7 Aug 2022 (Regulation 2022/63).

Sources

  1. 11.Hogan Lovells: TiO2 EU ban and FDA petition (opens in a new tab)engage.hoganlovells.com · Secondary: law firm, trade press, major media
  2. 12.UK Committee on Toxicity: Titanium dioxide statement (2024) (opens in a new tab)cot.food.gov.uk · Primary: government, court or law

General information, not legal or medical advice. “Banned elsewhere” doesn't automatically mean unsafe: some bans rest on animal welfare, trade or caution. Read the fact checks before sharing a list.

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