FDA Status
Approved
Color/Whitener · CAS 13463-67-7 · EU E171
Titanium Dioxide
FDA status: Approved. EU: Banned. 3 U.S. states regulate it.
2.0 / 5
Composite safety Caution
Score 2 of 5
Titanium Dioxide: 2/5 (Caution)
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. It is a top-10% most widely-used additive.
- 90th percentile by tracked product prevalence
- Regulated by 3 U.S. states, independent of federal FDA status
The verdict
Titanium Dioxide is FDA-approved, but 3 states have acted independently, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. It is a top-10% most widely-used additive (90th percentile by tracked product count).
- 2/5
- Caution
- Approved
- FDA status
- 90th pctile
- by product prevalence
- 3
- state regulations
Titanium Dioxide (E171), CAS 13463-67-7, is a color/whitener additive holding a composite safety score of 2 out of 5 (Caution). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as Approved, while the European Union lists it as Banned. This ingredient appears in approximately 1,301 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Candy, frosting, chewing gum, coffee creamer.
Regulatory pressure is notable: 3 U.S. states have enacted legislation targeting Titanium Dioxide, including California, Illinois, New York. State actions frequently diverge from federal FDA policy, with legislative trends tending toward stricter controls than the federal baseline. Our regulatory timeline records 1 distinct regulatory event spanning multiple jurisdictions, illustrating how oversight has evolved over time.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Titanium Dioxide, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2016-09-14. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| U.S. State Actions | 3 states | State legislative records |
| 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.
EU Status
Banned
E171
U.S. State Regulations
3 states
California, Illinois
Safety Assessment
Titanium Dioxide's 2/5 (Caution) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA has approved Titanium Dioxide for use in food products under specified conditions.
Notably, 3 US states have enacted regulations targeting Titanium Dioxide, reflecting growing legislative attention to food additive safety at the state level. These state actions may differ from federal FDA policy and can range from outright bans to usage restrictions in certain product categories.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Titanium Dioxide. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Titanium Dioxide compares
Where a safety score of 2/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Titanium Dioxide highlighted)
43 of 4,509 scored ingredients (1%) share a safety score of 2/5.
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
Candy, frosting, chewing gum, coffee creamer
Regulatory Timeline
2022-01-14 EU
Banned
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Titanium Dioxide safe to consume?
Titanium Dioxide has a safety score of 2/5 (Caution). Scientific studies have raised health concerns. It is regulated in 3 US states. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Titanium Dioxide used for in food?
Titanium Dioxide is commonly used as: Candy, frosting, chewing gum, coffee creamer. It belongs to the Color/Whitener category of food additives.
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 FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
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.
How is the safety score for Titanium Dioxide calculated?
The safety score of 2/5 for Titanium Dioxide is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
What to do about Titanium Dioxide
This additive is flagged, worth checking labels for.
- Check the FDA status (Approved) and EU status (Banned) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- 3 states have acted on this additive, see which and why. State actions
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.