France to Ban Use of Titanium Dioxide in Foods by 2020

The Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition announced in April 2019 that France will ban foods containing the titanium dioxide food additive E171 beginning January 2020. The ban is based largely on the opinion released by an expert group formed by the Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (ANSES) which concluded there is insufficient information to address current uncertainties on the safety of E171 for food related uses. The opinion was based on a review of 25 studies which have been published since 2017 concerning the oral toxicity of E171.

The order has already been signed by France, and since E171 is authorized at the European Union level, France will formally notify the European Commission and other EU Member states of the decision.