Lithopone 30% CAS No. 1345-05-7 / Application

Of the products that include the additive in their labels, Thea Bourianne, senior manager at data consultant Label Insights, told Food Navigator USA in May 2021 that more than 11,000 products in the company's database of U.S. food and beverage products listed titanium dioxide as an ingredient. Non-chocolate candy led those numbers at 32%. Cupcakes and snack cakes made up 14%, followed by cookies at 8%, coated pretzels and trail mix at 7%, baking decorations at 6%, gum and mints at 4% and ice cream at 2%.

Still many experts say the body of research does not support the current health concerns being expressed about titanium dioxide.

One of the most common worries about titanium dioxide is that it could be a cancer-causing agent. The link between cancer and titanium dioxide traces back to a 1985 study where rats were exposed to high levels of titanium dioxide for two years, causing lung cancer. However, not all experts are convinced by this study.

Titanium dioxide is predominantly used as a pigment in products such as paints, coatings, plastics, food, cosmetics, and paper. The ability of TiO2 to scatter light and provide a white color makes it an essential ingredient in achieving high-quality finishes in these applications. However, the production of titanium dioxide can be complex and costly, given that it involves raw materials such as ilmenite and rutile, as well as advanced processing technologies. Manufacturers are continuously striving to optimize costs without compromising quality, making the search for affordable suppliers a top priority for many businesses.