Lithopone is a mixed zinc sulfide-barium sulfate brilliant white pigment that contains about 30% zinc sulfide. The original light sensitiveness of this pigment has been mitigated by purification and by the addition of such agents as polythionates and cobalt sulfate.

Titanium dioxide has similar uses in non-food products. It is used in sunscreen as effective protection against UVA/UVB rays from the sun, which creates a physical barrier between the sun’s rays and the skin. It’s also used to whiten paint, paper, plastic, ink, rubber, and cosmetics.

It is recommended to store Titanium Dioxide in a well-maintained and dry environment, safeguarding it from exposure to elevated temperatures, open flames, or aromatic chemicals. When transporting Titanium Dioxide pigments, they are commonly packaged in paper bags weighing 25 kg (50 lb) or in large bags constructed from woven polypropylene materials.

Where It’s Hiding

European food safety regulators have since labeled titanium dioxide as no longer safe for human consumption, due to its potential toxicity. 

Some consumer advocacy groups and health agencies — particularly, those at the Environmental Working Group — have been pushing federal officers at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider their existing rules on the additive, which is commonly found in processed snacks and sweets.

Titanium dioxide (E171) is an additive that is used in food as a colour. The function of food colours is to make food more visually appealing, to give colour to food that would otherwise be colourless, or to restore the original appearance of food. Titanium dioxide is used to provide whiteness and opacity to foods.

Lithopone is produced by coprecipitation of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide. Most commonly coprecipitation is effected by combining equimolar amounts of zinc sulfate and barium sulfide:

Un pigment apparenté, mais où le sulfate de baryum est remplacé par du sulfate de calcium, prend le nom de « sulphopone »

New adjustments have been announced for tariff rates, which will benefit the chemical industry in China in particular, due to decreased import and export tariffs for several chemicals. The export tariff for ilmenite will stay unchanged by 10% and the rate for ferrotitanium decreased by 5% down to 20%.

FAQ – EFSA 2021 safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171)

Biointerfaces, Biomimicking, and Biohybrid Systems

Titanium dioxide is typically micronized and coated for use in cosmetics products. The micronizing makes this somewhat heavy-feeling ingredient easier to spread on skin, plus a bit more cosmetically elegant. Micronized titanium dioxide is much more stable and can provide better sun protection than non-micronized titanium dioxide.