Titanium Dioxide

In animal studies, gut absorption was low, under 1 percent, but the particles that are absorbed can build up in the body, especially in the liver and spleen.

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that FDA describes as synthetically produced from naturally occurring ores. FDA allows it as a color additive in food as long as titanium does not exceed 1% of the food by weight, and FDA said the available data did not raise concerns about damage to genetic material. EFSA, the EU food agency, said in 2021 that it could not rule out such damage. Studies in cats are lacking. Ask your veterinarian if your cat has a medical condition.

Source: fda.gov

Titanium dioxide makes food look whiter or brighter, and it can help other colors stand out. It is used for appearance only and gives cats no nutrition. In cat food it often shows up in kibble with several colors or white pieces. It appears near the end of the ingredient list because very little is used.

Not in the United States. FDA still permits it as a food color, though a petition filed in April 2023 asked FDA to remove that listing, and FDA says it is reviewing the petition. EFSA, the EU food agency, said in 2021 that it could not rule out damage to genetic material. Other regulators, including those in the UK, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand, did not agree with EFSA's assessment.

Source: fda.gov

FDA's rule allows titanium dioxide in food only if the titanium does not exceed 1% of the food's weight. That limit comes from the US color additive regulation, 21 CFR 73.575. Cat food labels do not state the amount used. Its place near the end of the ingredient list shows it is a small share of the food.

Source: fda.gov

Pettings gives titanium dioxide 0 out of 5 and lists it as an artificial color. It appears on 4 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It scores at the bottom because it changes only how the food looks, and regulators disagree about its long-term effects. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.