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Titanium dioxide is a synthetic color additive that is permitted in foods in the U.S., European Union and elsewhere. It is a durable pigment that provides background whitening to a host of products: everything from plastics and paints to cosmetics, sunscreens, oral care products (toothpaste) and even food. For foods, it can be found in chewing gum, confections and frostings to name a few.
In pet food, we see titanium dioxide used in canned foods to provide whitening to poultry- and fish-based products in which a more consistent light color appearance (not gray) is desired for the pet owner. It is also common in treat products intending to demonstrate a white “bone” appearance such as dental chews and in co-extruded products in which white streaks simulating fat marbling are desired. It has been considered safe and has been approved for use in human and animal foods at levels less than 1% for most of the last five decades.
