Following the publication of the order suspending the placing on the market of foodstuffs containing additive E171 from 1 January 2020 in April 2019, it is no longer possible to place on the French market foodstuffs containing titanium dioxide since 1 January 2020.

The placing on the market must be understood as the first placing on the market on French territory as defined in article 3.8 of Regulation (EC) 178/2002, i.e. “the holding of food for the purpose of sale, including offering for sale or any other form of transfer, whether free of charge or not, and the sale, distribution, and other forms of transfer themselves”.

The order does not set any obligation to withdraw and recall, products containing Ti02 present on the French market before the date of 1rst January 2020 may remain on the market until the end of their shelf life.

The introducers / importers must ensure that the foodstuffs they buy from suppliers based in the European Union or outside this territory does not contain E 171. Stocks not held on French territory before 1rst January 2020 cannot be sold for placing on the French market.