Since the European Commission removed titanium dioxide (E171) from the list of permitted food additives, formulators across confectionery, bakery and beverage sectors have had to reformulate. For buyers sourcing decorative shine, the practical question is no longer "do you sell pearl pigment?" but "can you prove your pearl pigment contains no E171, and can you document it batch by batch?"
E171 is titanium dioxide used as a food colourant. An E171-free pearlescent pigment therefore relies on a mica substrate with metal-oxide coatings rather than on pigmentary TiO₂ as a colorant. Note the distinction that trips up buyers: titanium dioxide can still legitimately appear as a coating layer in an interference pigment, because the coating is a bound structural film, not a dispersed colorant particle. Always ask your supplier to state the regulatory basis of any TiO₂ content rather than assuming "contains titanium" equals "contains E171".
| Line item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Natural or synthetic mica / glass flake — drives luster, whiteness and price |
| Particle size distribution | D10 / D50 / D90 in µm — controls satin vs sparkle and mouthfeel |
| Heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) | The core food-safety gate; must be declared with a test method |
| Microbiological limits | Total plate count, yeasts & moulds, E. coli, Salmonella |
| Solubility / extractables | Evidence the pigment stays inert in the food matrix |
| Bulk density & pH | Affects dosing accuracy and behaviour in aqueous systems |
| Carrier & diluent | Some "luster dusts" are diluted with maltodextrin or starch — check the label |
| Documentation pack | COA per batch, TDS, SDS, food-contact declaration, GMP statement |
Q: Is E171-free the same as titanium-dioxide-free?A: No. E171 refers to TiO₂ as a permitted food colourant. Interference pigments use a bound TiO₂ film as an optical layer. What matters is the regulatory status of that layer in your target market, and whether it is bound rather than dispersed.
Q: Can I use one grade for cake, chocolate and drinks?A: Usually not. Dry-dusted cake decoration tolerates coarser, higher-luster grades; beverages need finer particles and a density-matched system to avoid sedimentation (see article 3).