On May 6, 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) updated its 2016 safety assessment of the food additive titanium dioxide (TiO₂, E 171) and concluded that it can no longer be considered safe as a food additive despite EFSA’s findings in 2016 that E 171 did not raise a genotoxic concern.  Currently, TiO₂ is authorized as a food additive in the European Union according to Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

EFSA’s expert panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (Panel) stated that it reached this conclusion because of the food additive’s genotoxicity concerns when it is absorbed by the body.  The Panel concluded that, although the absorption of TiO₂ particles is low, it has the potential to accumulate in the body, as the food additive contains at most 50% of particles in the nano range (i.e., less than 100 nanometers) to which consumers may be exposed.  EFSA noted that although the evidence for general toxic effects was not conclusive, the new data and strengthened methods did not allow the Agency to rule out a concern for genotoxicity.  By way of background, French authorities suspended the marketing of foods containing TiO₂ in 2019, as there were gaps and uncertainties in the food additive’s safety data.

Based on EFSA’s opinion, the European Commission and the EU member states will meet to consider phasing out TiO₂ from the EU legislation on food.  This action will likely prohibit the use of TiO₂ in applications such as medicines, toothpaste, food contact materials, pet foods, and other consumer goods.  This potential EU decision will be notified to the World Trade Organization, which will then be considered by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.  It remains to be seen whether there will be ripple effects in other countries.