Titanium Dioxide is No Longer Authorised as a Food Additive in the EU

E171 is a food additive called titanium dioxide that is used to colour food. Food colours have three main purposes: to improve the aesthetic attractiveness of food, to add colour to otherwise colourless food, or to help food regain its original appearance. Foods are made whiter and more opaque with the help of titanium dioxide. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a statement in May 2021 stating that titanium dioxide is no longer safe to use as a food ingredient. The enforcement date of this regulation is February 7, 2022. The Regulation did, however, establish a six-month transitional period to give the food industry time to gradually stop using this food additive and reformulate their goods with adequate substitutes. The time frame will finish on August 7, 2022.