But in the U.S., titanium dioxide is found all over the grocery shelves. Candy like Skittles, Starbursts, and Jell-O, gum like Trident White peppermint gum and Mentos Freshmint Gum, cake products like Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Frosting, and Nabisco Chips Ahoy! cookies are just a few of the myriad food items that contain the additive.

Stability and darkening

For those wishing to limit or avoid exposure to titanium dioxide in foods, there are some steps you can take. 

However, the use of titanium dioxide has also raised concerns about its potential impact on human health and the environment. Some studies have suggested that titanium dioxide nanoparticles may have harmful effects when inhaled or ingested. Manufacturers of titanium dioxide are therefore taking steps to minimize the risk of exposure and develop safer products.

The toxicity of P25TiO₂NPs under UV radiation could be even higher when combined with other usual components of sunscreens Indeed, Soler de la Vega et al. advise that combination with parabens increases the toxicity of the final cosmetic mixture [53].

EFSA’s scientific advice will be used by risk managers (the European Commission, Member States) to inform any decisions they take on possible regulatory actions.

Faber argued there hasn't been enough change in these federal regulations in the decades following the FDA's approval of titanium dioxide – especially as others increasingly point to potential health consequences.

Titanium dioxide (E 171) is authorised as a food additive in the EU according to Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.  

By doing so, we achieve cost reduction, increased film strength and improved fungicidal and algaecidal properties. 

The authority did not identify a safe amount of titanium dioxide that could be consumed.

In a 2022 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, scientists wanted to examine the effects of titanium dioxide as a food additive on atherosclerosis in mice. (Atherosclerosis refers to a hardening of the arteries.) Researchers fed mice 40 mg/kg of the food additive every day for 4 months, and found that it not only altered gut microbiota but also led to a significantly increased atherosclerotic lesion area, especially in animals that consumed a high-choline western diet (HCD).

The production of Chinese anatase titanium dioxide involves a series of complex chemical processes, including hydrolysis and calcination of titanium precursors. These processes result in the formation of nanoscale particles of anatase titanium dioxide, which exhibit enhanced properties such as increased surface area and improved reactivity. The size and morphology of these nanoparticles can be controlled during the synthesis process, allowing for the production of tailored materials with specific properties for different applications.