PENNSAUKEN, NJ —Puratos has committed to remove titanium dioxide (TiO₂) from all its products by 2025.

Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral and has been used in food for decades. It typically serves as a colorant to enhance the opacity and brighten the color of white foods like dairy products, icings, fillings and chocolate.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) no longer allows TiO₂ as a food additive. Although no similar policy exists in the United States, Puratos decided to proactively remove titanium dioxide from all its products by 2025.

“For us, it was an easy decision,” said Jessica Blondeel, product director for patisserie at Puratos. “Our purpose is to move the planet forward by creating innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. Cleaning up our labels is a natural step towards achieving this goal.”

To reach their 2025 deadline, Puratos has announced a phased approach. The company already removed titanium dioxide from all compound coatings, icings and glazes. Cream fillings are on track to be TiO₂-free by 2025 but samples are available for customers looking to switch sooner.

The removal of TiO₂ is another step in the company’s journey to bring cleaner label solutions to the market. In the last five years, Puratos launched cake and brownie mixes without bleached flour, preservative-free fruit fillings and an egg-wash alternative without preservatives, maltodextrin or genetically modified ingredients.