Color/Whitener · CAS 13463-67-7 · EU E171
Titanium Dioxide
FDA status: Approved. EU: Banned. 3 U.S. states regulate it.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Titanium Dioxide is FDA-approved, though 3 U.S. states have enacted independent regulation on it, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as banned. By tracked product count it ranks #41 of 417; among state-regulated additives it ranks #4 of 8.
- #41 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
- #4 of 8 among state-regulated additives
The verdict
According to state food-safety statutes PlainIngredients tracks, Titanium Dioxide ranks #4 of 8 among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation (most-regulated first). By Open Food Facts product count it sits #41 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (90th percentile).
- 2/5
- Caution
- #4 of 8
- state-ban corpus rank
- #41 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 3
- state regulations
State-action and regulatory snapshot
Titanium Dioxide: 3 independent U.S. state statutes sit beside the federal row, start there, then FDA/EU.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. State Actions | 3 states · #4 of 8 | State legislative records |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Banned | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E171 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 13463-67-7 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color/Whitener | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| Tracked Products | 1,301 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Titanium Dioxide?
White pigment used to brighten foods. Nanoparticle form raises concerns.
Health Concerns
- Banned in the EU since 2022. Concerns about nanoparticle absorption and genotoxicity.
Common Uses
Regulatory Timeline
EU banned E171 based on EFSA genotoxicity assessment.
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Under Review | TBD | AB 2316 |
| Illinois | Banned | 2027-01-01 | HB 2415 |
| New York | Banned | 2027-07-01 | A 6424 |
State-action peer axes
Nationwide peers beside 3 state statutes
State-action mass (3 statutes) frames safety-score peers (2/5); product-count column omitted on state-action-led pages.
Same 2/5 score, different state-action mass
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Titanium Dioxide safe to consume?
Titanium Dioxide scores 2/5 (Caution). FDA status is Approved, yet 3 U.S. states regulate it on their own statutes, that state-action gap is the lead signal here, not the federal label alone.
What is Titanium Dioxide used for in food?
Titanium Dioxide is used as Candy, frosting, chewing gum, coffee creamer (Color/Whitener). State statutes (3) matter more for this additive than the use list alone.
Where does Titanium Dioxide sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation, Titanium Dioxide ranks #4 of 8 by the number of distinct states regulating it (same sort as the state-ban rankings page). Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #41 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
Is Titanium Dioxide banned in any US states?
Yes, Titanium Dioxide is regulated in 3 US states: California, Illinois, New York. Regulations vary from full bans to restrictions on specific uses.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Titanium Dioxide?
The FDA classifies Titanium Dioxide as "Approved" while the EU status is "Banned" (E171). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.
What health concerns are associated with Titanium Dioxide?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Titanium Dioxide: Banned in the EU since 2022. Concerns about nanoparticle absorption and genotoxicity.. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.