Titanium Dioxide
46 foods contain this ingredient
This is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Add KL+ to rank foods for your pet in the Food Finder.
About Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a white mineral pigment added to pet treats and some coatings purely to whiten or brighten appearance.
Titanium dioxide is an inorganic whitening/coloring agent used to give treats, chewables, coatings, and some dry foods a bright white or opaque appearance and has no nutritional value for dogs or cats. It provides no dietary benefits and has raised safety concerns (including genotoxicity findings by regulatory bodies and subsequent restrictions or bans in some jurisdictions), so many manufacturers have phased it out and pet parents may prefer products that do not list it on the label.
- Derived from
- processed titanium ore (inorganic mineral)
- Primary role
- color additive
Why it's used
Manufacturers add titanium dioxide when a treat, chew, or coating needs a uniform bright white or opaque look, typically to make a product visually appealing on the shelf. It does not contribute protein, vitamins, or any other nutrient to the diet.
Common concerns
- EFSA re-evaluation In 2021 EFSA (the EU food-additive authority) concluded it could no longer establish an acceptable daily intake for titanium dioxide as a food additive because it could not rule out concerns about genotoxicity, and the EU subsequently banned the additive (E171) from food use in 2022.
- Divergent US position The FDA has continued to permit titanium dioxide as an approved color additive under 21 CFR 73.575, so its regulatory status differs between the US and EU.
- No nutritional contribution Because it is added solely for visual appearance, it serves no dietary purpose for dogs or cats.
Also relevant
Some manufacturers have already reformulated products to remove titanium dioxide, so its presence or absence varies by brand and can be checked on the ingredient label.
3 sources cited
- EFSA concluded in 2021 it could no longer establish an acceptable daily intake for titanium dioxide as a food additive due to unresolved genotoxicity concerns
- FDA approval of titanium dioxide as a color additive under 21 CFR 73.575
- The EU banned titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive under Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63
Common Questions
What category is Titanium Dioxide?
Titanium Dioxide is categorized as a coloring ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Titanium Dioxide part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Titanium Dioxide in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Titanium Dioxide?
46 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Titanium Dioxide, including Meow Mix, Rachael Ray Nutrish, Redbarn.
Foods with Titanium Dioxide
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
Find the right food for your pet
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