MEPs follow up on EFSA’s opinion regarding E171

31 May 2021

On 31 May 2021, a group of 4 MEPs from 3 different groups asked the Commission about its intent to propose an EU-wide ban on food additive E171 (titanium dioxide). It is still unclear when the Commission intends to submit such proposal, and when discussions will start in the competent committee (Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, ScoPAFF) evaluating it. MEPs stressed the importance of proceeding with a ban as soon as possible considering the potentially harmful properties of this substance, as recently acknowledged by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The parliementary question also suggested extending the ban to non-food uses of Titanium Dioxide (for instance in cosmetics, medicine).