Is E171 banned in EU?

A ban on the use of controversial colouring titanium dioxide (E171) will come into effect in the European Union in 2022. EU Member States approved the European Commission’s proposal to ban E171 as a food additive following a meeting of the Standing Committee on Foodstuffs (CPVADAAA) last week.

Is E171 banned in the UK?

Titanium dioxide, or E171, is often used to whiten food products, but its use has long been a point of concern over fears that it could be carcinogenic. The French government announced a ban in 2019, but it is still used in other EU member states.

What Colour is E171?

E-numbers (Colours). It is used as a natural colouring agent in food and drink products. The common name for E171 is titanium dioxide. It may also be referred to as titan white or tiox. E171 is a white colouring used to give opacity in food products.

What is E171 made of?

E171 is a food additive used in many different food products for its colouring and opacifying properties. It consists of titanium dioxide particles, mainly in nanoparticle form, in varying proportions.

Is it safe to ingest titanium dioxide?

Should you avoid it? To date, titanium dioxide is considered safe for consumption. Most research concludes that the amount consumed from food is so low that it poses no risk to human health ( 1 , 3 , 7 , 17 ).

What food Colourings are banned in the UK?

Certain colours are banned in food production….The six colours are:

• sunset yellow FCF (E110)
• quinoline yellow (E104)
• carmoisine (E122)
• allura red (E129)
• tartrazine (E102)
• ponceau 4R (E124)

Is titanium dioxide considered a dye?

Yes. According to the FDA and other regulatory agencies globally, “titanium dioxide may be safely used for coloring foods”. Most notably, its food-grade form is used as a colorant to enhance and brighten the color of white foods such as dairy products, candy, frosting, and the powder on donuts.

What foods contain the additive E171?

E171 is commonly used and found in soups, sauces, broths and savoury sandwich spreads. Other foods that widely feature the food colouring are sweet treats like white chocolate bars, confectionary and chewing gum. It’s even found in some seemingly healthy cheeses and some skimmed milk brands too.

What food uses E171?

According to EFSA, the main food categories contributing to dietary exposure of E171 are fine bakery wares, soups, broths and sauces (for infants, toddlers and adolescents); and soups, broths, sauces, salads and savoury based sandwich spreads (for children, adults and the elderly).