French ban on titanium dioxide E171 in foodstuffs

E171 is a food additive used as a colouring agent in many food products such as confectionery, pastry and ready meals. It is a mixture of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles in dispersed, aggregated or agglomerated form, the size of which varies from a few dozen to several hundred nanometers.
The annual declaration register of nanomaterials (R-nano) managed by Anses indicates that more than 10,000 tonnes of TiO2 are produced and imported into France each year.
This makes TiO2 one of the most widely produced and imported nanomaterials in France.

In 2017, the ANSES had already issued a first Notice on dietary exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles. It recommended further studies on carcinogenic effects, immune system disorders and colon damage.

On 12 April 2019, the ANSES published a new notice on the risks related to the intake of the food additive E171.
For this evaluation, the ANSES based its assessment on toxicity studies conducted between 2017 and 2019 and in vivo oral studies.
None of these studies were able to ensure the safety of titanium dioxide.
The ANSES recommends that additional data be rapidly acquired in order to decide on possible carcinogenic, reprotoxic and genotoxic effects.
It therefore recommends limiting consumer exposure to this substance, in particular by substituting these nanomaterials with safe and equivalent products.

Following the publication of this notice, the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition issued a press release informing of the decision to ban the placing on the market of foodstuffs containing titanium dioxide as from 1 January 2020.
An order has already been signed and should be published as soon as possible.

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