Comparing E171 - Titanium dioxide vs E172II - Red iron oxide
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 8,902 products
Found in 12 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
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.
Iron oxide gives what planet red color?
Mars—the planet’s red appearance is due to iron oxide dust on its surface.
Iron oxide gives which planet its red color?
Mars; its reddish hue comes from iron oxide (rust) on the surface.
What is iron oxide red?
Iron oxide red is iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3); as a food additive (E172II) it’s an insoluble pigment used to impart red to brown shades.
How to apply red oxide on iron?
For food use, disperse food‑grade red iron oxide (E172II) in water or oil and blend uniformly into coatings or mixes; the “red oxide” metal primer is a paint product and not the food additive.
What is red iron oxide used for?
As E172II, it colors foods with red to brown tones—commonly confectionery and bakery decorations, coatings, seasonings, and tablet/capsule coatings; similar pigments are also used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.