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 2019 study published in the journal Nanotoxicology, researchers recreated the first phase of digestion in mice and fed them titanium dioxide, then examined whether accumulation occurred in the organs. Researchers wrote: “Significant accumulation of titanium was observed in the liver and intestine of E171-fed mice; in the latter a threefold increase in the number of TiO2 particles was also measured. Titanium accumulation in the liver was associated with necroinflammatory foci containing tissue monocytes/macrophages. Three days after the last dose, increased superoxide production and inflammation were observed in the stomach and intestine. Overall, [this] indicates that the risk for human health associated with dietary exposure to E171 needs to be carefully considered.”
Yet another study, this one published in 2006 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that titanium dioxide causes cancer. However, the study also categorized the ingredient as a potential human carcinogen.
1: Flocculation principle

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a fine white powder or dust that occurs naturally. It was first intentionally produced for use as a white pigment in 1923.
Bluescope Steel now specifically mention sunscreen & titanium dioxide use in their warranty so they no longer have to pay out for the damage caused by a little bit of transferred sunscreen residue.
≥30.0
White powder
BaSO4 + 4C=BaS + 4CO
Resumen–En este artículo se discute el descubrimiento del litopón fosforescente en dibujos a la acuarela por el artista americano John La Farge, fechados de 1890 a 1905, y la historia del litopón en la industria de los pigmentos a finales del Siglo XIX y principios del Siglo XX. A pesar de tener muchas cualidades deseables para su uso en pintura para acuarela o pinturas al óleo blancas, el desarrollo del litopón como pigmento para artistas fue obstaculizado por su tendencia a oscurecerse con la luz solar. Su disponibilidad para los artistas y su adopción por ellos sigue siendo poco clara, ya que por lo general los catálogos comerciales de los coloristas no eran explícitos al describir si los pigmentos blancos contenían litopón. Además, el litopón se puede confundir con blanco de plomo durante el examen visual, y su fosforescencia de corta duración puede ser fácilmente pasada por alto por el observador desinformado. A la fecha, el litopón fosforescente ha sido documentado solamente en otra obra mas: una acuarela por Van Gogh. Además de la historia de la fabricación del litopón, el artículo detalla el mecanismo para su fosforescencia, y su identificación con la ayuda de espectroscopía de Raman, y de espectrofluorimetría.
3. What is EFSA saying in its 2021 opinion on the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive?
In the paper industry, TiO2 is used to create high-quality, bright white paper products. By adding TiO2 to pulp, paper manufacturers can improve the opacity, brightness, and printability of their products. TiO2 also enhances the lightfastness and aging resistance of paper, ensuring that it maintains its appearance and quality over time. With TiO2, paper products can achieve a superior level of whiteness and visual appeal.
TiO2 comes in many different forms. However, only a few of these forms are considered food-grade (acceptable to be added to food). Many studies that raised concern about the safety of TiO2, including the concern for genotoxicity, used forms of TiO2 that are not considered acceptable for use in food and have different properties than food-grade TiO2. Other studies did use food-grade TiO2, but took steps to break the material down into smaller particles than what would normally be found in food.
So what does this have to do with you?
Lithopone
≥99.0
Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder’s 2 main components:
In summary, the Food Directorate's position is that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the food additive TiO2 is a concern for human health. This is based on a review of the available scientific data relevant to food uses of TiO2. However, we will continue to monitor the emerging science on the safety of TiO2 as a food additive and may revisit our position if new scientific information becomes available.
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).