While Skittles don't include white in their line-up, Dr. Johnson-Arbor theorizes that titanium dioxide is used to help contain all the other beautiful colors.

Stability and darkening

Until relevant toxicological and human exposure data that would enable reliable risk assessment are obtained, TiO₂ nanoparticles should be used with great care.

Analyst Insight

It’s particularly useful in sunscreen as it has impressive UV resistance and helps block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays from reaching your skin (6Trusted Source).

While the conclusions of the EU expert panel were considered in this report, Health Canada's Food Directorate conducted its own comprehensive review of the available science. This included evaluating new scientific data that addressed some of the uncertainties identified by the EU expert panel and were not available at the time of their review.    

Another important property of nano titanium dioxide is its high level of UV resistance. This makes it an excellent choice for use in sunscreen and other skincare products, as it can help protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Our manufacturing facilities are equipped with the latest technology to ensure that our nano titanium dioxide products provide the highest level of UV protection possible.

Assessment of skin penetration and biohazard in vivo

≤0.4

For people in occupational settings that increase the risk of titanium dioxide exposure, taking protective measures is helpful. This may include wearing protective equipment, such as respirators, and using ventilation systems.

Market Dynamics

The European Commission banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in the EU in 2022 after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted an updated safety assessment of E171 and concluded the panel could not eliminate concerns about its genotoxicity. 

A 2022 review on past studies of titanium dioxide and rat lung cancer, for instance, said the original study was under extreme conditions and its effects were not replicated in other animal species. Additionally, the review concluded that the few studies which did directly focus on titanium dioxide's impact on humans did not end up showing any increased cancer risk.

BaSO4+C→BaS+4CO

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is by far the most suited white pigment to obtain whiteness and hiding power in coatings, inks and plastics. This is because it has an extremely high refractive index and it does not absorb visible light. TiO₂ is also readily available as particles with the right size (d ≈ 280 nm) and the right shape (more or less spherical) as well as with a variety of post-treatments.

However, the pigment is expensive, especially when the volume prices of systems are used. And, there always remains a need to develop a full-proof strategy to obtain the best results in terms of cost/performance ratio, scattering efficiency, dispersion… while using it in coating formulations. Are you searching for the same?

Explore the detailed knowledge of TiO₂ pigment, its scattering efficiency, optimization, selection, etc. to achieve the best possible white color strength and hiding power in your formulations.

If you want to avoid titanium dioxide, Stoiber and Faber urge consumers to try and avoid processed foods as best as you can.