We’re most often exposed to E171 through the foods we ingest. We find E171 in many food products, like popsicles, ice cream, gum, and more. Another way we ingest E171 is through pharmaceutical drugs. Many pills and capsules contain E171 as an inactive ingredient.  

Because of the uncertainty of the impacts of nanoparticles, Made Safe exercises the precautionary principle, meaning we avoid nanoparticles until more extensive scientific testing proves their safety.

Lithopone 30% CAS No. 1345-05-7 / Storage method

Recent analyses of food-grade TiO₂ samples have found that a significant portion of particles may be within the nanoscale. These particles (also known as nanoparticles) range in size from 1 to 100 nm, where 1 nm equals 1 billionth of a metre (the width of a typical human hair is 80,000 to 100,000 nm).

It is expected that the implementation of rutile titanium dioxide market manufacturers will be stable this week, the new single quotation of the production link will be firm, the supply of low-cost goods will be reduced, and the reference range of the overall market transaction will rise slightly. It is expected that the market transaction reference is 15200-16200 yuan/ton, and the weekly average price may refer to 15600 yuan/ton. In addition, considering the difference of orders received by different manufacturers, some manufacturers may still have 300-500 yuan/ton of negotiation room. On the demand side, most buyers still have inventory to use, so the current new batch transaction intention is not strong; On the supply side, some producers are expected to increase the load next week, so the industry time output may be slightly increased. On the whole, it is expected that the overall trading range will rise slightly next week, but most producers will adjust the real single negotiation range according to their own orders, and the new single stable price of mainstream producers.

The EU expert panel did not identify an immediate health concern linked to TiO₂ when used as a food additive. However, due mainly to uncertainties concerning the safety of TiO₂ nanoparticles, the panel concluded that TiO₂ as a food additive (E171) could no longer be considered safe.

There's also evidence that inhaling titanium dioxide particles can be dangerous. That's mainly a concern for industrial workers. In places where it's produced, or where it's used to make other products, workers can breathe it in as a dust. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has exposure standards manufacturers must meet.

But despite all these cries of alarm, five years on from the original study no further testing into the safety of Titanium Dioxide in our food supply

Titanium dioxide is the most widely used whitening pigment in the world and has been linked to adverse health effects, particularly genotoxicity and intestinal inflammation. It is applied as food coloring and a whitening agent to a wide variety of foods, including chewing gum, cakes, candies, breads and ice cream. 

In a study published in 2022 in the journal Particle and Fibre Technology, researchers examined the impact of maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles in newborn offspring mice. They found that “a chronic exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy alters the respiratory activity of offspring, characterized by an abnormally elevated rate of breathing.” Breathing was also shown to be “significantly and abnormally accelerated,” and the ability for neural circuitry to effectively adjust breathing rates was impaired. The researchers concluded: “Our findings thus demonstrate that a maternal exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy affects the normal development and operation of the respiratory centers in progeny.”

However, in India, the titanium dioxide price trend fluctuated under the influence of moderate growth in the automotive and construction sectors, and as a result the titanium dioxide price trends settled at approximately 2425 USD/MT in September.