European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Reaffirms Titanium Dioxide’s Safety as a Food Additive

29 June 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reaffirmed the safety of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive (E171). EFSA’s scientific opinion follows a request from the European Commission to carry out a scientific evaluation on four studies on the potential toxicity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) used as a food additive and to indicate whether they would merit re‐opening the existing opinion of EFSA on the safety as a food additive. The conclusion is that the outcome of the four studies did not merit re‐opening the existing opinion of EFSA related to the safety of TiO2 (E 171) as a food additive. The Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA) calls for EFSA’s opinion to be respected and for EU legislation on food safety to be observed throughout the EU.

With the positive initial and recent EFSA findings, during the re-evaluation, and the lack of credible data indicating safety concerns in oral applications, Colorcon maintains that E171 TiO2 is safe to use in food and pharmaceutical applications. Colorcon will continue to monitor ongoing discussions, along with the opinions published by EFSA with regard to the safety of TiO2.

TiO2 continues to be a key pigment and opacifier used in Colorcon’s film coating formulations providing a wide color palette and excellent consistency.

For further insights, please view the following Colorcon Regulatory Information;

Titanium Dioxide - Safety Review Information (Europe)

Titanium Dioxide Used in Colorcon Products - Particle Size & Nanoparticles