Key Regulatory Updates and Titanium Dioxide Substitutes
Global Regulation Changes to the Use of Titanium Dioxide
The recent ban on Titanium Dioxide, which includes imports and exports through EU countries, has reignited regulatory dialogue worldwide.
Timeline Overview
The European Commission’s Ban
of Titanium Dioxide
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2016The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) inconclusively evaluated titanium dioxide, E171, as a food additive citing more research was needed to determine its safe usage.
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2020The European Commission requests EFSA to re-evaluate Titanium Dioxide.
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2021“Taking into account all available scientific studies and data, the [European Food Safety Authority] panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive.”
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2022The European commission banned titanium dioxide, E171, as a food additive beginning with a six-month phase out period in February 2022-August 2022. After August 2022, a full ban on titanium dioxide in food and animal feed applies.
How has this affected Asia Pacific…?
After EFSA’s panel conclusions, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) called for a review of information on titanium dioxide and its safety when used as a food additive in July 2021. Eventually, they concluded that E171 was safe for human consumption due to lack of supporting evidence.
Europe’s precautionary approach to additive rulings means that if evidence can’t establish safety, a ban is often advised. On the flipside, APAC’s food compliance standards tend to be more reactive in nature. Though no formal action has been taken yet, there has been a change in attitude due to product recalls and surrounding bad press.
Consumer Perception of Titanium Dioxide Trends Downward
While titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been in the spotlight since 2016, the scrutiny has never been broadcasted as extensively as today.
Negative consumer sentiment towards titanium dioxide continues to increase this year, most likely due to two widely broadcasted events…
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01.European Commission’s announcement to ban titanium dioxide
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02.A lawsuit in the US against leading confection manufacturer
% of consumers who avoid food, beverage, and pet products containing titanium dioxide due to safety concerns.
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33%
Early 2022
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48%
JULY 2022
Google searches asking “what foods have titanium dioxide” have seen a
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+5000%
SINCE MID-JULY 2022
echoing the growing concern over the widely used food colour indicated by Sensient’s Consumer Research.
Source: Sensient Consumer Research, 2022
Manufacturers Put in a Hard Position
The usage of the widely popular whitening colour has subsided in North America over the last few years, and we expect the food industry in Asia Pacific to soon follow suit.
In response to the ongoing regulatory conversations, several brands have preemptively listed titanium dioxide on their no-no ingredient lists some time ago, including…
The controversy certainly places manufacturers in a tough position today, despite continued safety issuance of titanium dioxide. Unfortunately, the media seems to be escalating the topic into consumer’s everyday news feeds and channels.
SENSIENT UNDERSTANDS THE MULTIPLE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE DECISIONS MADE BY MANUFACTURERS, ABLE TO SUPPORT BOTH…
THE USE OF HIGH-PERFORMING, COST-EFFECTIVE TITANIUM DIOXIDE UNDER CURRENT COMPLIANCE MEASURES, AND
THE DESIRE TO STAY AHEAD AND REPLACE TITANIUM DIOXIDE WITH ALTERNATIVE MARKET OPTIONS.
Sensient’s Avalanche™
Titanium Dioxide Replacement Portfolio
Avalanche™ is a portfolio of titanium dioxide substitutes designed for virtually any food, beverage, and pet/animal feed category. Whitening and opacifying solutions in the Avalanche™ portfolio have been developed to best match the performance of titanium dioxide to empower easy renovation and innovation for brands.
Its breadth of solutions is designed to fully encompass the diverse processing parameters and various colour performance needs of all the categories in which titanium dioxide is or would be an ideal whitening or opacifying agent.
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AvalancheTM Fusion Xtra SOLUTIONS
Processing Parameter:
Low Heat/Low Water Activity
Performance Need:
Whiteness and/or Opacification
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AvalancheTM MB SOLUTIONS
Processing Parameter:
Heat & Extrusion Stability
Performance Need:
Whiteness and/or Opacification
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AvalancheTM ULTRA
SOLUTIONSProcessing Parameter:
High Water Activity
Performance Need:
Whiteness and/or Opacification
Have a sense of the wide range of applications that Sensient’s Avalanche™ portfolio can accommodate by scrolling down:
BEVERAGES
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Carbonated & Still Drinks
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Multi-Serve Powder Drink Mixes
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Single-Serve Powder Drink Stick
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RTD Mixers
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Syrups & Concentrates
BAKERY
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Frostings, Icings, Compound Coatings, Glazes, & Buttercreams
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Extruded Sprinkle Inclusions
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Instant Pudding & Pie Mixes
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Fillings & Custards
PLANT-BASED MEAT & DAIRY PRODUCTS
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Plant-Based Meat Analogues
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Plant-Based Cheese
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Plant-Based Cheese Sauces
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Plant-Based Ice Cream
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Plant-Based Dairy Drinks
CONFECTIONS
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GUMMY CANDY
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CHEWING GUM
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HARD CANDY
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Panned Candy & Gum
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Compound Coatings
PET & ANIMAL FEED
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Baked Treats
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Extruded Treats and Kibble/Feed
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Retort Canned Food
PANTRY & SNACKS
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Packaged Cookies & Snack Cakes
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Soups
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Instant Sauce Dry Mixes
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RTE Sauces, Dressings, & Dips
The Avalanche™ portfolio consists high-performing colour solutions developed for success and outperform alternative market options especially single components like rice starch or calcium carbonate.
Sensient’s colour experts can give personalised, real-time guidance on Avalanche™ solutions virtually using our VIVID Platform (Virtual Interactive Visualization & Ingredient Development).
