Titanium dioxide: the use as a food additive of E171

On February 2020 the EU published that titanium dioxide must be classified as carcinogen if inhaled (Carc. 2, H351 (inhalation) in certain powdered forms under the CLP Regulation. Moreover, on May 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an updated safety assessment of the food additive titanium dioxide (E 171) concluding that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered as safe when used as a food additive based on the many uncertainties, in particular the fact that genotoxicity potential could not be ruled out.

Titanium dioxide is extensively used as an opacifier and colorant in Food, Cosmetics, and Pharmaceuticals. The direct and indirect impacts on medicines for human and veterinary use, it would require industry to develop new formulations for the majority of oral solid dose products.

Do you need to identify possible alternatives? Update the classification and labelling of mixtures, which contain titanium dioxide? or control the occupational exposure of your workers?