Titanium dioxide

Animal and lab studies only

• Open question

  Gut effects⁷

  In animal studies, scientists are unsure how eating titanium dioxide affects the gut lining.

• Concern

  Gut inflammation and cancer⁸

  In animal studies, daily intake of titanium dioxide was linked to a higher risk of gut inflammation and cancer.

• Open question

  Gut health effects⁹

  In lab studies, it is unclear whether titanium dioxide can damage DNA in the gut.

• Open question

  Gut immune cells¹⁰

  In mice, titanium dioxide builds up in gut immune cells but does not change their signals.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Unknown cell effects³

  Scientists do not yet fully know how titanium dioxide particles affect cells.

• Concern

  uncertain study findings⁴

  Scientists looked at titanium dioxide in food and said the studies raised concerns but were too uncertain to settle the question.

• Open question

  Cancer risk in people⁵

  Recent studies question whether titanium dioxide's surface changes affect its reactivity, and its cancer risk in people is still disputed.

How it’s made and used

• Particle buildup in organs²

  Titanium dioxide was found in liver, spleen, kidney and gut tissue of 15 deceased people, mostly as tiny particles.

• How much is in food⁶

  Titanium dioxide was found in sweets, gum and chocolates, but labels do not say how much is used.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.