Jan 10, 2026

Ultimate Guide to Safe Titanium Dioxide Alternatives in Personal Care, Food & Pharma

For many years, titanium dioxide (TiO₂), has been utilized as a primary additive in whitening and opacification of various product lines in multiple industries. Food and Pharmaceutical products, Personal Care and Cosmetic products have all utilized TiO₂ for its high level of whiteness, opacity and cost-effectiveness.

However, a combination of regulatory concerns regarding TiO₂, changing science and the consumer desire for cleaner and more transparent labelling is causing a global trend away from utilizing Titanium Dioxide in formulation development. Today, brands are proactively looking for safer, comparable or superior performing and clean-label alternatives to replace TiO₂ in their formulations to meet the evolving needs of consumers, and future regulatory requirements.

This guide will outline why the industry is moving away from Titanium Dioxide, clearly outline the drivers behind this movement for both food and pharma, and personal care and cosmetics, and identify the most viable alternatives available today.

What Is Titanium Dioxide and Why Was It Used?

For thirty years, titanium dioxide (TiO2), a synthetic inorganic mineral pigment, has provided high levels of whiteness or “whitening” and “opacity”, as well as numerous additional benefits to manufacturers that use it due to:

• High Brightness/Opacity – Produces white colors and provides high levels of coverage in food, tablets, creams and cosmetics.
• Economic Performance – Provides a good visible effect while providing a high economic performance through low quantities of usage to attain the desired effect.
• Usage Flexibility – Is used in various forms of products, such as food, beverages, candies, tablet pharmaceuticals, toothpastes, sunscreen and cosmetic products.

Although there are still many manufacturers using this product, the overall effectiveness of TiO2 is now being evaluated by the industries that use this product.

Why the Industry Is Moving Away from Titanium Dioxide

1) Titanium Dioxide Concerns in Food & Pharma

The main reason for the need to reformulate food and drug products has been the EU’s 2022 ban of titanium dioxide (E171) from use in food products.

Key Factors

• Genotoxicity concerns: The updated science-based opinion established that it is not possible to rule out that long-term consumption of TiO₂ particles may present a genotoxic hazard.
• EU regulatory actions: TiO₂ was therefore banned in all food products across the EU.
• Global regulatory ripple effects: Although this ban only applies to foods, several other geographic areas are now reviewing their position regarding TiO₂ in foods.
  • In the APAC region, countries are considering aligning their food regulations with those of the EU.
  • In Latin America & the Middle East, brands are voluntarily reformulating their products to remain compliant with anticipated new regulatory requirements.
  • The United States, no ban is currently in place; however, consumers and retailers are increasingly pressuring companies to provide cleaner labelling.

Impact on Pharma

Although Titanium Dioxide remains permissible as an active ingredient in prescription medications, the trend of global compliance among pharmaceutical companies has led to increased formulation for worldwide distribution:

• There is an increasing trend toward reformulation by pharmaceutical companies to allow for global product distribution
• The perceptions of patient safety and consumer preference for cleaner excipients (whitening agents) are contributing to this trend
• Companies continue to seek to minimize their potential for future regulatory restrictions and maintain maximum export options

In response, food and pharmaceutical companies are rapidly transitioning to safer, compliant whitening agents.

2) Titanium Dioxide Concerns in Personal Care & Cosmetics

While titanium dioxide is banned for use in foods, it is not prohibited from being used in personal care or cosmetics; in this market, the transition to an alternative product is primarily driven by consumer demand versus regulations.

Drivers of Change

• Clean beauty movement

The public is increasingly seeking products made without artificial or questionable ingredients.

• Concerns about nano-particles

Increased concern regarding the safety and transparency of nano-sized TiO₂ in sunscreens and facial products.

• Labelling transparency and sustainability

Product labelling claims that include terms like “No Artificial Whiteners” and “TiO₂-Free” are becoming popular in both the mass and premium markets for personal care.

As a result of these changes, manufacturers have developed mineral and plant-based alternatives to titanium dioxide, which provide a level of opaqueness and also a better smoothness (sensory) for their consumers.

Regulatory Landscape Overview

• Food: Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is banned in the European Union, and it is also currently under global review. While it will be permitted to continue to be used in foods, its usage will likely be limited by regulation.
• Pharmaceuticals: Titanium dioxide is permitted to be used in pharmaceutical products. However, there is an increasing amount of regulatory scrutiny being placed on TiO2, and as a result, manufacturers are now looking at reformulation using different alternatives.
• Personal Care/Cosmetics: Titanium dioxide is still permitted to be used in personal care/cosmetic products. While, due to the growing trend of consumers seeking “natural” products, many companies have started to develop new formulations without titanium dioxide.

These changes in regulations have significantly driven the development of alternative whitening technologies.

What Makes a Good Titanium Dioxide Alternative?

A substitute that is capable of replacing TiO2 in food applications must offer more than color substitution:

1. High levels of whitening and transparency (high L-value)
2. Able to withstand the effects of temperature, pH, and processing
3. Able to provide scalable and consistent supply chains
4. Able to position itself as a clean-label product with a natural origin
5. 5Allergen-free, non-GMO, and compatible with vegan diets

Top Titanium Dioxide Alternatives by Industry

Food & Beverage Alternatives

Rice-Based Ingredients (Rice Starches & Flours)

• Mild Bleaching and Opacity
• Clean Label and Plant-Derived
• For use in Confections, Seasoning Mixtures, Sauces and Bakery Systems

Calcium Carbonate

• High Brightness and Compressibility
• Widely Accepted in Food Supplements and Pharma Products
• Most Suitable for Neutral to Alkaline Products

Modified & Native Starches

• Excellent Heat and Shear Stability
• Provide both Opacity and Texture/Body
• Can be Used in Sauces, Fillings and Dairy Analogues

Maltodextrin & Syrup Solids

• Enhance Whiteness and Dispersability
• Commonly Found in Beverage Powders and Instant Mixes

Pharma-Specific Alternatives

• To provide a bright appearance on tablets as well as provide good compression, calcium carbonate can be utilized.
• Starch-based coatings may be utilized to enable clean-label positioning of products.
• Zinc oxide will maintain reliable performance while maintaining the integrity of the dosage.

Personal Care & Cosmetic Alternatives

Zinc Oxide (Non-Food Use Only)

• Helps to create opacity and provides UV protection.
• Used in a wide variety of sunscreen and cosmetic applications.
• Particle size of zinc oxide must be carefully selected to satisfy governmental regulations.

Plant Fibers & Cellulose

• Provide opacity and texture to products.
• Fiber has neutral sensory characteristics.
• Apart from use in toothpaste and other personal care formulations, plant fibers & cellulose may be utilized in a wide variety of cosmetic applications.

Application-Specific Recommendations

• Confectionery: Rice starch + plant fiber blends
• Bakery & Fillings: Modified starches for heat stability
• Dairy & Sauces: Starch and maltodextrin combinations
• Beverage Powders: Maltodextrin for dispersibility
• Pharma Tablets: Calcium carbonate for brightness
• Personal Care: Zinc oxide and mineral blends with sensory optimization

Future of Whitening Agents

• Fermentation-derived bio-whiteners
• Plant-based microparticle technologies
• Upcycled and sustainable ingredient solutions

Regulatory alignment with EU food standards is expected to expand globally, making early reformulation a strategic advantage.

Koel Colours: Your Partner in Titanium Dioxide Alternatives

Koel Colours has an extensive line of clean-label whitening options that provide performance with respect to the following applications:

• Food & Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals
• Personal Care & Cosmetics

We have technical knowledge to help you with your formulation development. With our application support and regulatory guidance, you can make the transition to safer, more future-ready products.

Ready to Reformulate?

Get in touch with one of our experts to have us send you some samples, provide you with information on a specific technical aspect or to create a custom solution for an alternative to Titanium Dioxide.

Koel Colours – Global Leaders in the Future of Safe & Clean Whitening Solutions.