Comparing E171 - Titanium dioxide vs E172 - Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

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Overview

E171 - Titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide (E171) is a bright white pigment used to make foods look whiter and more opaque. It appears on labels as “titanium dioxide” or “E171” and is common in candies, chewing gum, and some tablet coatings. The European Union no longer allows it in food, while it remains permitted in the United States within strict limits.

E172 - Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides (E172) are mineral pigments used to give foods red, yellow, brown, or black shades. They are insoluble, stable colors made under strict purity standards and are used mainly on the surface of foods, such as coatings and decorations. Rules vary by country: they are widely authorized in the EU, while uses in the U.S. are more limited.

Synonyms

E171

Titanium dioxide

E172

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Functions

colour

Origins

Mineral

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 8,902 products

Found in 23 products

Search rank & volume

#6544.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#47150 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.72

under-aware

×0.44

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Search history data is not available.

Popular questions

Is titanium dioxide safe?
As a food color (E171), the EU no longer considers it safe and banned food uses in 2022 because potential genotoxicity of nano-sized particles could not be ruled out. Regulators in the U.S., UK, and several other regions still permit it within strict limits.
Is titanium dioxide bad for you?
Typical dietary exposure shows low acute toxicity, but ongoing uncertainty about DNA damage from very small particles led the EU to ban it in foods as a precaution. Occupational inhalation of TiO2 dust—not eating it—is the scenario most closely linked to cancer risk (IARC Group 2B).
Is titanium dioxide safe in sunscreen?
Yes—titanium dioxide is widely accepted as a safe, effective mineral UV filter in sunscreens when applied to skin. The main caution is avoiding inhalation of sprays or loose powders, since respiratory exposure to fine TiO2 particles is the concern flagged by IARC.
What is titanium dioxide used for?
In foods it serves as a whitening and opacifying agent in candies, chewing gum, bakery decorations, sauces, and supplement coatings. Outside food it is used heavily in paints, plastics, paper, cosmetics, and sunscreens for its brightness and UV-scattering properties.
What does titanium dioxide do?
It scatters light to create a vivid white appearance and hides underlying colors or textures, giving foods and tablets a uniform look. In personal care products it blocks and reflects UV light, contributing to SPF protection in mineral sunscreens.