Titanium dioxide is a food additive that can be found in over 3,000 different products in EWG’s Food Scores database.
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- O'Brien, W.J. (1915). The Study of Lithopone. J. Phys. Chem. 19 (2): 113–144. doi:10.1021/j150155a002..
TiO2 absorbs UV light. This property makes it appear bright white under light, unlike other white materials that can look slightly yellow.
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- As the demand for titanium dioxide continues to grow, so does the competition among suppliers. Companies that can produce high-quality rutile and anatase titanium dioxide at competitive prices will likely gain a significant advantage in the market. Additionally, the development of new technologies for producing titanium dioxide, such as using biomass as a raw material or implementing more sustainable production methods, could further differentiate suppliers and drive innovation in the industry.
The US and Canada, however, approve the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Canada's recent review of titanium dioxide reconfirmed its safety and pointed out that many of the toxicity studies the EU reviewed were not relevant to the safety of titanium dioxide as a food ingredient, and that the ban is based on an abundance of caution and uncertainty.
You see sometime ago, before they changed their warranty to exclude sunscreen damage, Bluescope Steel were getting countless warranty claims for peeling paint. All curiously shaped in fingerprint patterns around the edge of their metal sheets. This was a little perplexing & financially worrying for the bosses at Bluescope steel so they got some clever scientists to test the damaged roof sheets.
It's all over the place in our environment, said Dr. Johnson-Arbor.
Overall, the Food Directorate's comprehensive review of the available science of TiO2 as a food additive showed:
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It offers several advantages in various applications. Its excellent opacity and brightness make it a popular choice in the production of paints, coatings, and printing inks, providing a cost-effective alternative to titanium dioxide. Lithopone's chemical stability enhances its durability in outdoor environments, making it suitable for outdoor coatings. Additionally, its low reactivity and compatibility with other pigments contribute to its versatility. Beyond coatings, lithopone finds utility in plastics, rubber, and paper industries. Overall, its multifaceted advantages and broad applications underscore this compound's significance in diverse industrial sectors.
Numerous studies have linked titanium dioxide to genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. Genotoxicity refers to a chemical’s potential to cause DNA damage, which can, in turn, lead to cancer. Cytotoxicity is a general term that refers to a characteristic of being harmful to cells.


A few non-dietary studies have reported adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract of laboratory animals given food-grade TiO2. However, these same effects were not seen when the same or higher doses of food-grade TiO2 were administered in the animals' diet. Dietary studies best reflect how humans are exposed to TiO2 from food. Thus, the Food Directorate placed the most emphasis on the results of these studies in the state of the science report.


Is Titanium Dioxide Safe?

china tio2 used for paints and inks. Additionally, China has invested heavily in developing and modernizing its TiO2 production facilities, allowing the country to consistently produce high-quality TiO2 at competitive prices.

