While the conclusions of the EU expert panel were considered in this report, Health Canada's Food Directorate conducted its own comprehensive review of the available science. This included evaluating new scientific data that addressed some of the uncertainties identified by the EU expert panel and were not available at the time of their review.    

A safety review conducted by the EFSA in 2021 assessed thousands of studies published on titanium dioxide.

“Lithopone Market by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027”

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In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide is no longer safe in foods due to the same concerns over nanoparticles. As a result, titanium dioxide is now banned as a food additive in the EU. Although studies have shown that the absorption of ingested titanium dioxide is low, evidence suggests that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can accumulate in the body over time. Health Canada deemed it safe in 2022 but noted concerns. Unlike their European counterparts, Canadian officials did not consider studies performed with titanium dioxide nanoparticles alone. 

In a review published in 2022 in the journal Archives of Toxicology, researchers found that the ingestion of E171 is a “a definite health risk for consumers and their progeny.” After reviewing dozens of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro studies on the toxicity of E171, the researchers wrote that two facts must be noted: “First, reprotoxicity studies show that animals of both sexes are impacted by the toxicity of these nanoparticles, underlining the importance of conducting in vivo studies using both male and female animals. Second, human exposure begins in utero via maternal-fetal transfer and continues after birth by breastfeeding. Children are then chronically re-exposed due to their food preferences. To be relevant to the human in vivo situation, experimental studies should therefore consider nanoparticle exposure with respect to the age or life period of the studied population.”

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Still, you may wonder whether it’s safe for consumption.

One of the primary uses of titanium dioxide is in the production of pigments for paints, coatings, and plastics. Titanium dioxide is known for its excellent opacity, brightness, and whiteness, making it an ideal choice for creating vibrant and long-lasting colors. Manufacturers of titanium dioxide carefully control the particle size and crystal structure of the pigment to ensure consistent quality and performance.

In terms of dietary exposure, titanium dioxide is often used in a variety of food categories, including bakery products, soups, broths, sauces, salads, savoury based sandwich spreads and processed nuts. It is also used in confectionary, chewing gum, food supplements and cake icing.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a naturally occurring compound that is mined, refined and processed into a fine powder. It is known for its exceptional opacity, brightness and high refractive index, making it an ideal ingredient in paint formulations. When added to paint, titanium dioxide scatters and reflects light, creating vibrant, long-lasting colors. It is this unique property that makes titanium dioxide the most widely used white pigment in the coatings industry.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the finding of nano particles in our food supply here in Australia, despite no testing every carried out on the safety of these products by our food safety body.

Preparation of Lithopone: