Titanium dioxide
E171
Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used for decades as the colourant E171, giving opaque whiteness to glazes, macaron coatings, dragées and chocolate.
E171 is no longer authorised for use in food in the European Union. In 2021 EFSA concluded that the additive could not be considered safe, since genotoxicity of the nanoparticles could not be ruled out. The ban took effect in 2022. The United Kingdom and several other countries retained authorisation; the law differs by jurisdiction.
The practical consequence for anyone selling into the EU: E171 cannot be used, and recipes and purchasing should be reviewed. Many suppliers have already reformulated their white colourings and glazes.
Available replacements include calcium carbonate (E170), silicon dioxide in some applications, rice and corn starch, and ready-made titanium-dioxide-free white colourings. None generally matches the opacity of E171, so the layer is applied more heavily or the decorative approach is changed.