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Titanium Dioxide

Additive · E 171

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used to brighten foods or make them less transparent. Food labels may call it E171 or INS 171. It contains particles of different sizes, including very small particles, and is used where food-color rules allow it.

Also known as

titanium dioxide · TiO2 · E 171 · E171 · INS 171 · C.I. 77891 · CI 77891 · C.I. Pigment White 6 · Pigment White 6 · titania · titanium oxide (TiO2) · titanium(IV) oxide

Why PRūF tracks it

Uncertain particle-related DNA and gut effects, including new human gene-activity changes without significant inflammatory-marker increases or established cancer, remain under study. The EU revoked food use.

Read the research

Titanium dioxide has no nutritional role. Its safety debate concerns particles that may affect cells or genetic material after being swallowed. A small 2026 human feeding study found changes in colon gene activity after two weeks, including pathways related to inflammation and cancer. These changes do not establish disease or DNA damage; the measured inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers did not show statistically significant increases.

Human stool studies also give mixed findings and cannot establish causation. Laboratory and animal studies raise gut-barrier and DNA-damage concerns, while several dietary studies found no cancer or reproductive harm. Authorities weigh particle size, food mixing, absorption, and test methods differently. EFSA could not rule out genotoxicity, meaning damage to genetic material.

JECFA, the UK, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand reached more reassuring food-use assessments. Those reviews predate the new human trial. The EU revoked food use. The US allows up to 1% by food weight while FDA reviews the additive; Arizona and Texas restrict specified school meals.

Research reviewed on September 5, 2026 · 12 sources

Matches

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1–12 of 46 matches

Research sources

The published research used in the PRūF app.

  1. Dietary Titanium Dioxide (E171) Alters the Colon Transcriptome—Evidence From a Human Dietary Intervention Study

    Bischoff et al. / Molecular Nutrition & Food Research · 2026-08-18, publisher first publication · Accessed 2026-09-05

  2. Food grade titanium dioxide is related to gut dysbiosis, but not markers of intestinal inflammation nor permeability in healthy, young adults

    Merrill et al. / NanoImpact · 2025-10, issue date; exact online day unverified · Accessed 2026-09-05

  3. Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E 171) as a food additive

    EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings · 2021-05-06 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  4. Titania: 97th-meeting evaluation entry

    WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2023 evaluation; accessed 2026-09-05 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  5. Statement on the safety of Titanium Dioxide (E 171) as a Food Additive

    UK Committee on Toxicity · 2024-10, Statement 2024/05 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  6. Comprehensive Evaluation of the Genotoxic Potential of Food Additive Titanium Dioxide in Human Intestinal Cell Systems

    Nam et al. / International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025-12-14 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  7. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 removing titanium dioxide food-additive authorization

    European Commission · Adopted 2022-01-14; published 2022-01-18 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  8. 21 CFR 73.575: Titanium dioxide

    US FDA / eCFR · Current eCFR through 2026-09-03; accessed 2026-09-05 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  9. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report

    Health Canada Food Directorate · 2022 assessment; page modified 2023-04-06 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  10. Titanium dioxide as a food additive: safety assessment

    Food Standards Australia New Zealand · 2022 assessment; review webpage updated 2025-11-26 · Accessed 2026-09-05

  11. Arizona Revised Statutes 15-242.01: ultra-processed foods in school meal programs

    Arizona Legislature · 2025 enactment; applicable 2026–2027 school year · Accessed 2026-09-05

  12. Senate Bill 314, 89th Regular Session: school food ingredient restrictions

    Texas Legislature · 2025 enactment; 2026–2027 school year and contracts from 2026-09-01 · Accessed 2026-09-05

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