An inorganic chemical, titanium dioxide is used as a dye to help products achieve a certain appearance, including whitening a product. Some experts and publications have described it as being akin to a paint primer that's used before the color is added to food in order to give products a uniform shine. Its presence is common in many items beyond Skittles including coffee creamers, cake mixes, and chewing gum. It's also used for pigment and in cosmetics manufacturing.

Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder, C.I. Pigment White 5, is a mixture of inorganic compounds, widely utilized as a white pigment. It is composed of a mixture of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide. These insoluble compounds blend well with organic compounds and confer opacity. Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder is famous for the cheap production costs, greater coverage. Related white pigments include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide (zinc white), and zinc sulfide

Titanium dioxide is used a food colour (E171) and, as with all food colours, its technological function is to make food more visually appealing, to give colour to food that would otherwise be colourless, or to restore the original appearance of food. Titanium dioxide is also present in cosmetics, paints, and medicines.