Comparing E171 - Titanium dioxide vs E172III - Yellow iron oxide
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Found in 8,902 products
Found in 2 products
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Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 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.
What is iron oxide yellow?
Yellow iron oxide (E172III) is a yellow inorganic pigment made of hydrated iron oxide (mainly goethite, FeO(OH)), used as a colorant in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics; it is insoluble and stable to heat and light.
How to lighten yellow iron oxide?
Lighten it by reducing its dosage or blending with permitted white/neutral colorants or a light-colored base (e.g., calcium carbonate/E170 where allowed); it cannot be chemically bleached without altering the pigment.
How to make yellow iron oxide?
It is produced industrially by oxidizing and precipitating iron salts under controlled pH and temperature to form goethite (FeO(OH)), then washing, filtering, and milling; food‑grade material must meet strict purity limits (e.g., heavy metals).
How to make yellow iron oxide pigment?
Manufacturers form goethite by controlled precipitation/oxidation (e.g., from ferrous sulfate solutions), then age, wash, and mill to the desired shade; heating (calcination) can convert yellow to red hematite, so temperature control is critical.
Iron oxide minerals which might create red or yellow coloration in sandstones?
Red hues are typically from hematite (Fe2O3), while yellow to yellow‑brown tones come from goethite (FeO(OH)) or limonite (hydrated iron oxides); jarosite can also impart yellow coloration in some settings.