Is E171 halal?

What is E171?

Titanium dioxide is a white mineral pigment. Food-grade material is produced by refining titanium ores into a very pure white powder. It makes foods bright white or opaque and was often used as a base layer under other colours.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

It is a mineral, so its halal status is not in question; no animal material or alcohol is involved. The concerns about titanium dioxide are about safety, not religion: the EU withdrew its approval as a food additive in 2022. Outside the EU it may still appear, for example on imported products.

How to check the label

In the EU, food made or placed on the market after August 2022 should not contain it. On imported products, look for E171 or titanium dioxide in the ingredients.

Where you'll find it

• sweet coatings
• chewing gum
• cake icing
• food supplements
• sauces and dressings

Good to know

• Under Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63, it may not be added to food in the EU since 7 February 2022. Food made under the old rules could be placed on the market until 7 August 2022. The ban also applies in Northern Ireland.
• In 2021 EFSA concluded that E171 can no longer be considered safe as a food additive, because a concern about genotoxicity could not be ruled out.

Similar additives

• E339 Sodium phosphates Generally halal
• E450 Diphosphates Generally halal
• E500 Sodium carbonates (baking soda) Generally halal
• E551 Silicon dioxide Generally halal
• E100 Curcumin Generally halal
• E102 Tartrazine Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EFSA: titanium dioxide no longer considered safe as a food additive (2021)
2. FSAI: titanium dioxide is no longer authorised as a food additive
3. EFSA safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E 171) (2021)

Frequently asked questions