The EC states that its proposal “is based on a scientific opinion by the European Food Safety Authority, which concluded that E171 could no longer be considered as safe when used as a food additive, in particular due to the fact that concerns regarding genotoxicity cannot be ruled out.” According to the EC, unless an objection is adopted by the end of 2021 by either the Council or the European Parliament, the text will enter into force in early 2022. This will begin a six-month phasing out period after which a full ban will apply in food products. 

 

Food Labelling Services Comments:

The ban by the EU on the use of the white food colour Titanium Dioxide in food products has been proposed for a significant amount of time, and we have been advising our clients to remove it from products. It is good to have clarity so that alternatives can be found.
As yet, there is no call from the FSA to ban the use of Titanium Dioxide in Great Britain, but for food producers wanting to export to Northern Ireland, Ireland or the EU, they will have to abide to the EU requirement.