Nanotechnology utilises particles of between 1 and 100 nm in size. In recent years, it has enjoyed widespread
application in a variety of areas. However, this has also raised increasing concerns regarding the effects that the
use of nanoparticles may have on human health. The nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs) are among the
most promising nanomaterials and have already found wide use in cosmetics, medicine and, the food industry.
A nano-sized (diameter < 100 nm) fraction of TiO2 is present, at a certain percentage, in the E171 ( in the EU)
pigment commonly used as an additive in food, whose presence raises particular concerns in terms of its potential
negative health impact. The consumption of E171 food additive is increasingly associated with disorders of the
intestinal barrier, including intestinal dysbiosis. It may disrupt the normal functions of the gastrointestinal tract
(GIT) including: enzymatic digestion of primary nutrients (lipids, proteins, or carbohydrates). The aim of this
review is to provide a comprehensive and reliable overview of studies conducted in recent years in terms of the
substance’s potentially negative impact on human and animal alimentary systems.