What it is
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a naturally occurring mineral pigment listed as CI 77891 on cosmetic labels and E171 on food labels.
In toothpaste it is added purely for visual whiteness — it has no cleaning, remineralising, or antimicrobial function.
Why it matters
The European Food Safety Authority in 2021 concluded titanium dioxide (E171) could no longer be considered safe as a food additive due to genotoxicity concerns.
The EU banned E171 as a food additive in 2022. Its use in toothpaste is still permitted but under active review.
Because it is cosmetic rather than functional, it is one of the easiest ingredients to skip. Every recommended toothpaste on our shortlist is titanium-dioxide-free.
Common uses
- White pigment in toothpaste, cosmetics, and paints
- Mineral UV filter in sunscreens
- Formerly used as E171 food colour in confectionery and chewing gum
Safety considerations
- Non-nano TiO2 is generally considered safe for topical use in sunscreen.
- Ingestion concerns focus on nano-sized particles and long-term accumulation; oral-care exposure is a smaller — but nonzero — route.
- Because the ingredient serves no functional purpose in toothpaste, we treat its presence as a disclosure signal about a brand's formulation choices.
Where you'll encounter this
- Bathroom — some conventional toothpastes, cosmetics, sunscreens
- Kitchen — historically in confectionery (banned as food additive in the EU)
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Frequently asked questions
Is titanium dioxide in toothpaste harmful?
The regulatory picture is unsettled. EFSA has ruled it unsafe as a food additive; toothpaste use remains permitted but under review. Because it is purely cosmetic, we treat it as easily avoidable.
Why is titanium dioxide even in toothpaste?
To make the paste look opaque white. It has no cleaning or remineralising function, which is why the entire natural-toothpaste segment omits it.
How do I know if a paste contains it?
Look for 'titanium dioxide' or 'CI 77891' on the ingredient list. Every recommended toothpaste on our shortlist is titanium-dioxide-free.
Editorial references
- EFSA — Scientific opinion on titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive (2021)
- European Commission — Ban on E171 as a food additive (2022)
Last updated 2026-07-20.