The European Commission (EC) announced on January 14, 2022, that it adopted a ban on the use of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive. The ban will apply after a six-month transition period, and beginning summer 2022, this additive should no longer be added to food products. According to the EC, titanium dioxide “is used to impart white colour to many foods, from baked goods and sandwich spreads to soups, sauces, salad dressing and food supplements.” The EC states that European Union (EU) member states unanimously endorsed the EC’s proposal, put forward in October 2021. The EC based its proposal on a scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that concluded that E171 could no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive. More information is available in the EC’s questions and answers (Q&A).

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