Is titanium dioxide bad for you?
Yes, titanium dioxide is one of the additives worth limiting. A bright white food coloring. The EU banned it as a food additive in 2022 after EFSA concluded it could damage DNA. The FDA still permits it.
Is titanium dioxide actually harmful?
Contains tiny enough particles to enter cells, and EFSA concluded in 2021 that genotoxicity could not be ruled out. Daily consumers of products like white-coated gum or candy had the highest realistic exposure. Easy to avoid now in the EU since it has been banned.
What do regulators say?
The EU banned it as a food additive in August 2022 following EFSA's 2021 "no longer considered safe" opinion. The FDA still permits it, which is why many American sweets contain it while European versions do not.
Source: EFSA — titanium dioxide no longer safe (2021) ↗So should you avoid it?
Known or suspected to cause harm: a substance EFSA or another regulator has flagged, or one restricted in some jurisdictions. Best kept out of a regular diet.
For the full reference on titanium dioxide, including what it is and where it turns up, see the E171 page. Or scan a product and Yuzu tells you if it's inside.