lithopone b311 b301
Rutile titanium dioxide, the most common form of TiO2, possesses a tetragonal crystal structure and exhibits unique physical and chemical properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications. One of the key advantages of rutile TiO2 is its high refractive index, which ranges from 2.4 to 2.7. This high refractive index enables rutile TiO2 to provide excellent hiding power and whiteness in coatings, plastics, and other materials.
Following a request for assessment in 2020 by the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed E171, particularly for its genotoxicity. In 2022, the agency deemed the food additive no longer safe for use.
Titanium dioxide is the most widely used whitening pigment in the world and has been linked to adverse health effects, particularly genotoxicity and intestinal inflammation. It is applied as food coloring and a whitening agent to a wide variety of foods, including chewing gum, cakes, candies, breads and ice cream.
