The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) concluded that existing scientific evidence does not point to safety concerns about the use of food-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2), also known as E171, following the re-evaluation of the safety of TiO2 in foods by the national administrative unit for food registration (GGALI).
According to their review, EFSA’s 2021 Opinion was based on studies that do not reflect the use of food-grade TiO2 used in food. It states that EFSA’s conclusion was a “precautionary principle-related approach based on identified uncertainties and not based on a concrete risk”.
Furthermore, their technical note highlighted the growing international consensus that existing scientific evidence suggests E171 as a food additive is safe.
The TDMA welcomes this news from Brazil’s health authority and supports intentions to continue assessing the safety of TiO2 with new scientific evidence which places this opinion in doubt.