Titanium Dioxide
Decode Label flags Titanium Dioxide as a moderate concern in both food and personal care (carcinogen). It appears in 21 of the 893 published products we have analysed (2.4%).
The concern
Whitening agent — banned as food additive in EU (2022); potential genotoxin
EFSA concluded in 2021 that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive, citing genotoxicity concerns, and the EU banned its use in food from August 2022. It is still used in some cosmetics where skin absorption is the concern. Indian regulations are under review.
Most relevant to
How common it is in this catalogue
Measured across every product Decode Label has analysed — not estimated, and not taken from anyone else's dataset.
By category
Regulatory position
From the published regulation itself. Each row links to its source.
Hazard classification
ORAL ONLY. Distinct from IARC Group 2B for inhaled titanium dioxide dust, and from its safe use as a topical UV filter.
ORAL ONLY. Distinct from IARC Group 2B for inhaled titanium dioxide dust, and from its safe use as a topical UV filter.
only as respirable (inhalable) powder
Identity
- Canonical name
- Titanium dioxide (E171, food use)
- CAS number
- 13463-67-7
- EC number
- 236-675-5
- E number
- E171
- INS number
- 171
Also appears on labels as
Questions
Is Titanium Dioxide safe?
The EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 permits Titanium Dioxide in cosmetics only within set limits (Annex III, entry 321). Why it is flagged: Whitening agent — banned as food additive in EU (2022); potential genotoxin. Decode Label treats it as a moderate concern in both food and personal care. It appears in 21 of the 893 published products we have analysed (2.4%).
How common is Titanium Dioxide in Indian packaged products?
Decode Label found Titanium Dioxide in 21 of 893 published products (2.4%), most often in Bath & Body, Oral Care, Baby & Kids.
Which authorities have classified Titanium Dioxide?
EU — EU Reg. 2022/63 — removed from the permitted food additive list; IARC — IARC Group 2B.
Is Titanium Dioxide restricted or banned anywhere?
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (CosIng), Titanium Dioxide has 1 restricted entry, 1 permitted entry. Each is shown with its annex reference and a link to the source in the Regulatory position table.
Who should be most careful with Titanium Dioxide?
Anyone eating or using this regularly.
Products containing Titanium Dioxide
21 published products, each with its own full analysis.
Related ingredients
Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.
Method and limits
- Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 893 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
- Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
- A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
- Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 28 September 2026.
- Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.