YenzoWhat is E171 (titanium dioxide)?
It is titanium dioxide, a white powder. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists it (INS 171) with the function colour.
E171Titanium dioxide
E171 is titanium dioxide, a white powder. In food it gives an opaque white colour to sweets, chewing gum, cake coatings and icing.
Did you know? Regulation (EU) 2022/63, adopted on 14 January 2022, states that titanium dioxide (E 171) may no longer be used in foods in the EU, after EFSA concluded in 2021 that E 171 can no longer be considered safe as a food additive.
- Code
- E171 · INS 171
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalemoderate?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2021
The evaluators disagree. EFSA (2021) concluded that it can no longer be considered safe as a food additive, while JECFA (2023) keeps an ADI for it.
How E171 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (171), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (171)colour 171E171INS 171titan dioxydtitan dioxittitanium dioxide
Questions about titanium dioxide
Is titanium dioxide harmful?
In 2021 EFSA concluded that a concern for genotoxicity of titanium dioxide particles could not be ruled out and, given the many uncertainties, that E171 can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.
Is E171 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Titanium dioxide (INS 171) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Other colours
E163Anthocyaninsvery lowE170Calcium carbonatesvery lowE172Iron oxides and iron hydroxidesvery lowE173AluminiumhighE174SilverlowE175Goldlow
See all colours →Updated 22 October 2026
Sources (3)
- EFSA Journal: Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive (2021).
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 of 14 January 2022 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as regards the food additive titanium dioxide (E 171)