Health Canada's Food Directorate recently completed a “state of the science” report on titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive. Food-grade TiO2 is a white powder made up of small particles that has been permitted in Canada and internationally for many years as a food additive to whiten or brighten foods. Food-grade TiO2 has long been considered safe in Canada and in other countries when eaten as part of the diet.
- Chemical pigment manufacturers play a crucial role in the production of various products in industries such as cosmetics, paints, plastics, and textiles. These manufacturers are responsible for creating pigments that give color and appearance to different materials, making them more attractive and appealing to consumers.
Prof. Maged Younes, Chair of EFSA’s expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), wrote of the decision: “Taking into account all available scientific studies and data, the Panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive. A critical element in reaching this conclusion is that we could not exclude genotoxicity concerns after consumption of titanium dioxide particles. After oral ingestion, the absorption of titanium dioxide particles is low, however they can accumulate in the body.”
Lithopone is rather nontoxic, due to the insolubility of its components. It has been used in medicine as a radiocontrast agent. Lithopone is allowed to be in contact with foodstuffs in the US and Europe.[1]
People eating lots of candy should be more worried about the sugar and how it can cause high blood pressure and obesity, says Westerhoff.
The rapid method of synthesis described here is readily scalable to the proportions required in cosmetics manufacture.
- Lithopone, a versatile white pigment, has been a staple in the world of colorants for decades due to its excellent opacity, stability, and cost-effectiveness. It is a mixture of zinc sulfide and barium sulfate, providing a superior white shade in various applications, including paints, plastics, printing inks, and coatings. This article delves into the lithopone pigment price list and highlights key suppliers in the market.
- Titanium dioxide's ability to enhance the whiteness and brightness of concrete while also providing superior UV resistance makes it an ideal additive. It safeguards the concrete from discoloration due to sun exposure, ensuring its longevity and aesthetic appeal. TiO2-infused concrete also exhibits enhanced durability and strength, contributing to sustainable construction practices.
- A good coatings titanium dioxide supplier should provide technical support and customer service to help you select the right product and ensure its proper use. Look for a supplier who offers product literature, application guides, and technical support from experienced professionals. Additionally, ensure that the supplier has a responsive customer service team that can address any questions or concerns you may have promptly.
Having thus described the origin and uses of the pigment, we now come to the question, what is lithopone? It is, in short, a chemical compound usually consisting of 30.5 per cent zinc sulphide, 1.5 per cent zinc oxide and 68 per cent barium sulphate, but these proportions vary slightly in the different makes. Lithopone of this composition is sold as the highest grade, either as red seal or green seal, as it best suits the idea of the manufacturer. Many manufacturers, especially in Europe, sell and also export other brands under other seals, containing 24, 20, 18 and as little as 12 per cent of zinc sulphide with very small percentages of zinc oxide, the balance being usually barium sulphate, but sometimes certain portions of China clay or gypsum (calcium sulphate) or whiting (calcium carbonate). Such brands are not a chemical compound, but mechanical mixtures of the chemically compounded lithopone and the admixtures referred to.
Lithopone
When manufacturers add titanium dioxide to foods and other ingestible products, it’s typically referred to as E171, which relates to food-grade purity.

titanium dioxide used for white pigments. The pigment helps to create a bright white surface that enhances the visual appeal of printed materials, making them more attractive and professional-looking. TiO2 is also used in the production of inkjet papers and photo printing papers to achieve high-quality images with sharp colors and fine details.

The safety of the food additive E 171 was re-evaluated by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016 in the frame of Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.
One of the key responsibilities of titanium dioxide manufacturers is to produce high-quality products that meet the stringent requirements of their customers. This involves carefully sourcing raw materials, employing efficient production processes, and conducting rigorous quality control measures to ensure that the final product meets the necessary specifications.
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.
This route affords a product that is 29.4 wt % ZnS and 70.6 wt % BaSO4. Variations exist, for example, more ZnS-rich materials are produced when zinc chloride is added to the mixture of zinc sulfate and barium sulfide.
lithopone supplier 30% complies with both the REACH and Indirect Food Regulations, as well as with many European regulations regarding Toys, Packaging, Resins, etc…
Though the regulated use of titanium dioxide in food products is legal in the U.S. and Canada, it's banned in some other countries, notably throughout Europe. In May 2021, the European Food Safety Authority announced that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive.
Titanium dioxide is added to some food packaging to preserve the shelf life of a product.
Toxic effects of TiO2 NPs on soil organisms
The ingredient in question? Titanium dioxide.
Although cosmetics are not meant for consumption, there are concerns that titanium dioxide in lipstick and toothpaste may be swallowed or absorbed through the skin.