Is titanium dioxide in toothpaste safe?
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is considered safe for use in toothpaste under the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Its safety has been assessed based on the specific exposure conditions associated with oral care products, where use is not intended for ingestion and exposure is limited.
In the Europe Union and the United Kingdom, toothpaste is regulated as a cosmetic product, and the safety of its ingredients is assessed specifically for cosmetic use. In the United States fluoride-containing toothpastes are regulated as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, while non-fluoride toothpastes are regulated as cosmetics.
As with other cosmetic uses, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has regularly reviewed the safety of TiO2 in toothpaste. The latest advice from the SCCS on the safety of TiO2 was published on 13 May 2024 and confirmed that TiO2 forms that show no adverse effects in the latest non‑animal in vitro studies can be considered safe. Following this, the toothpaste industry participated in a comprehensive programme of studies covering a wide range of TiO2 forms and submitted the resulting dossier to the European Commission. The Commission subsequently mandated the SCCS to assess these data an updated SCCS opinion is expected before the end of 2026.
Why is titanium dioxide used in toothpaste?
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), in a purified form (E171), is used in toothpaste in very small amounts as a colouring agent to give the product a clean, bright white appearance. If present, titanium dioxide is listed in the ingredients under its cosmetic colour index number: CI 77891.
Is there a link between the use of titanium dioxide in toothpaste and in food?
Though toothpaste is not intended for ingestion and any oral exposure is incidental, brief and limited in quantity, the European Commission takes account of the scientific opinions of other organisations, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), who have assessed the use of TiO2 as a food additive.
While EFSA identified uncertainties related to dietary exposure in its 2021 opinion, regulatory authorities assess cosmetics separately and the SCCS explicitly recognises that exposure from toothpaste differs from food, as toothpaste is not intended for ingestion and any oral exposure is accidental, brief and limited in quantity. This distinction is a key part of the ongoing scientific and regulatory evaluation.
The latest SCCS review of TiO2 will also be able to take account of the latest scientific studies and assessments from the around the world, which were not considered by EFSA in their 2021 opinion see titanium dioxide in food.
