Is Titanium Dioxide food Safe for Babies 0–12 months?
For babies 0–12 months, Titanium Dioxide food is best avoided. EU prohibited this as a food additive in 2022 following an EFSA safety review that could not rule out DNA-related concerns.
Why this rating?
EU prohibited this as a food additive in 2022 following an EFSA safety review that could not rule out DNA-related concerns. Not recommended for young children.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is not part of the reviewed rating above. Ratings are unchanged.
At 0 to 12 months
Infant foods rarely contain white pigments, so the exposure at this age is mostly from foods shared early. Read the ingredient list for titanium dioxide, TiO2 or E171.
What it is
Titanium dioxide, also listed as TiO2 or E171, is a white pigment added to some foods to make them look whiter or brighter. In the United States the FDA permits it as a color additive in food at up to 1 percent of the weight of the food.
Why regulators disagree
In 2021 the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive because genotoxicity could not be ruled out, and the European Union removed it from its approved list through Regulation (EU) 2022/63, with a transition period that ended in August 2022. In the United States, a petition filed in April 2023 asks the FDA to repeal the food listing, and the FDA states that it is reviewing it; the additive remains permitted meanwhile, so check the FDA's page for the current status.
Where it appears
Titanium dioxide can appear in white coatings, icings and frostings, candies, gum, sprinkles and some processed products, which are foods young children may encounter. Look for titanium dioxide, TiO2 or E171 in the ingredient list. This entry says avoid because the additive adds only appearance and Europe has judged it can no longer be considered safe.
In short
In short, titanium dioxide is permitted in the United States and no longer permitted in food in the European Union, and the FDA is reviewing a petition to revoke its listing. It adds only appearance, so a baby or toddler loses nothing by skipping it, and the ingredient list is where you will find it.
How Titanium Dioxide food is rated by age
The same ingredient can carry a different rating as a child grows. These are the ratings for each age group that has a guide for Titanium Dioxide food.
| Age group | Rating |
|---|---|
| babies 0–12 months | Avoid |
| toddlers 12–24 months | Avoid |
Other age group
Is Titanium Dioxide food safe for toddlers 12–24 months?Sources
- EFSA — regulatory_or_public_health_body
- EU — regulatory_or_public_health_body
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, MSc Nutrition, Certified Naturopath & Nutritionist — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general feeding information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's allergies and needs.
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