The European Commission has adopted, on 14th January 2022, a Regulation withdrawing the authorization to use a food additive Titanium dioxide (TiO2 also known as E171) in food products. The ban will apply after a six-month transition period. This means that from this summer this supplement should no longer be added to food.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: "The food safety of our citizens and their health is non-negotiable. That is why we guarantee strict and continuous control of the highest safety standards for consumers. It is important with this activity to ensure that only safe substances, backed by solid scientific evidence, reach our table. With today's ban, we are removing a food supplement that is no longer considered safe. I count on the authorities of the Member States to work together to ensure that food business operators stop using E171 in food."
Titanium dioxide is used to give white color to many foods - from pasta and confectionery and cream cheese to soups, sauces, salad dressings and supplements. Member States unanimously supported the Commission's proposal presented last autumn. It is based on a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority, which concluded that E171 can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.
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