Mica-based pearlescent pigments
Mica-based pearlescent pigmentsListed as a colour by Canada and the US.
Listed as colours (CA, US)
- Canada: Food colour — Health Canada, List of Permitted Food Colours (List 3)
- United States: Color additive (21 CFR part 73) — 21 CFR 73.350
Mica-based pearlescent pigments give confectionery and drinks a pearlescent shimmer. They are flakes of mica coated with titanium dioxide or iron oxide, and the effect comes from light interference rather than from a dye.
Where it is and isn’t permitted
| Jurisdiction | Status | Scope and limits | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it. | ||
| Canada | Permitted, with conditions | 12 permitted uses Show every permitted use
| Health Canada, List of Permitted Food Colours (List 3)and 11 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17 |
| European Union | No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it. | ||
| Great Britain | No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it. | ||
| Japan | No listing matchedThis site imports only Japan’s list of designated additives (Appended Table 1 to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act), matched by English name. Existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives are permitted outside that list and are not imported, so an empty row does not show that Japan does not permit the substance. | ||
| South Korea | Permitted, with conditions | Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. …Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 진주빛색소 (“Potassium Aluminium Silicate-Based Pearlescent Pigments”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 진주빛색소: 착색료. Standard for use (사용기준) of 진주빛색소: (1) [may be used only in the foods listed; sets a limit on the amount used] “진주빛색소는 아래의 식품에 한하여 사용하여야 한다. 진주빛색소의 사용량은 1. 과실주, 일반증류주, 리큐르 : 0.3% 이하” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive. | Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18 |
| United States | Permitted | 21 CFR 73.350retrieved 2026-10-17 | |
| Codex Alimentarius | Not listedDoes not appear on this jurisdiction’s permitted list. That is not the same as being prohibited. |
How much is permitted
A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.
| Canada | — | 12 no quantity stated |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | — | 1 no quantity stated |
| United States | — | 1 no quantity stated |
No regulator sets a figure for Mica-based pearlescent pigments. That is not an absence of control: where the listing says quantum satis or good manufacturing practice, the quantity is limited to what the effect requires.
What it is made from
Ground mica, a naturally occurring mineral silicate, coated with a thin layer of titanium dioxide or iron oxide. The layer thickness determines which colours the flakes reflect.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.
How JECFA defines it
The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.
INS 176 Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments, Type I
Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments, Type I, are produced by the deposition of titanium salts on potassium aluminium silicate followed by calcination at high temperatures. The resulting pigment consists of potassium aluminium silicate coated with titanium dioxide. The pigments can be produced with a variety of different pearlescent colour effects depending upon particle size and the thickness of titanium dioxide deposited on the potassium aluminium silicate. Particles below a size of 100 nm shall not be present. While values will vary for each individual pearlescent pigment in regards to the amounts of titanium dioxide and potassium aluminium silicate, particle size and pH of an aqueous slurry, general information can be provided for the pigments as a class. When considered together as a class, Type I pigments typically show ranges for titanium dioxide and potassium aluminium silicate in the pigments of 10-61%, and 39-90%, respectively. Similarly, when taken as a class, median particle size typically ranges from 3-82 μm.
Synonyms: Mica-based pearlescent pigments, Type I; INS 176
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- POTASSIUM ALUMINIUM SILICATE-BASED PEARLESCENT PIGMENTS, Type I Prepared at the 77 th JECFA (2013), published in FAO Monographs 14 (2013), replacing the tentative specifications prepared for potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments prepared at the 74 th JECFA (2011), published in FAO Monographs 11 (2011). A PTWI of 2 mg/kg bw for total aluminium was established at the 74th JECFA (2011). The PTWI applies to all aluminium compounds in food, including food additives. An ADI of ‘not limited’ was established for titanium dioxide at the 13 th JECFA (1969).
- Assay
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2): As labeled. Potassium aluminium silicate:
- DESCRIPTION
- Powder with distinctive sheen.
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Colour
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Determination of percent titanium and aluminium: Weigh about 0.5 g of the sample to the nearest 0.1 mg, in a platinum or nickel crucible, add 5 g potassium hydroxide and 2 g boric acid, mix and melt completely using a torch burner (alkali fusion) and allow to stand at room temperature. Place the reaction product along with crucible in a 250-ml PTFE beaker, add 150 ml hot deionized water and dissolve residue by agitation. Wash the crucible with a small amount of hot water and add the washings to the beaker. Add 50 ml hydrochloric acid and transfer the contents into a 250-ml volumetric flask. Wash the beaker three times with hot water, transfer the washings to the volumetric flask and make up to volume (Solution A). Prepare the test solution by diluting Solution A with 2% hydrochloric acid solution to get the solution within the linear dynamic range of the analyzer. Analyze titanium and aluminium in the test solution using ICP-AES (Vol. 4). Set instrument parameters as specified by the instrument manufacturer and use the analytical lines for titanium (334.941 nm), and aluminium (396.152 nm). Determine the concentration (as μg/ml) of titanium and aluminium from the respective standard curves. Calculate the percentage of titanium dioxide and potassium aluminium silicate using the formulas below: % TiO2 (w/w) in Potassium 1.668 x CTi x 250 x DF Aluminium Silicate-Based = ------------------------------- Pearlescent Pigments W x 10 % Potassium aluminium 4.92 x CAl x 250 x DF silicate (w/w) in Potassium = ------------------------------- Aluminium Silicate-Based 6 W x 10 Pearlescent Pigments Where: C is Concentration of Ti or Al in the test solution, μg/ml DF is Dilution factor (dilution of Solution A to get test solution) W is Weight of sample, g
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4)
- Practically insoluble or insoluble in water.
- Test for Titanium
- Passes test See description under TESTS
- Test: Test for Titanium
- Use the test solution as shown under method of assay. Analyze titanium in the test solution by ICP-AES technique (Volume 4). Set instrument parameters as specified by the instrument manufacturer, use the analytical line for Ti (334.941 nm).
Purity criteria
- Loss on Drying (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 0.5% (10 g sample, 105°, 2 h)
- Impurities soluble in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
- Antimony: Not more than 3 mg/kg Arsenic: Not more than 3 mg/kg Barium: Not more than 25 mg/kg Cadmium: Not more than 1 mg/kg Chromium: Not more than 100 mg/kg Copper: Not more than 25 mg/kg Lead: Not more than 4 mg/kg Mercury: Not more than 1 mg/kg Nickel: Not more than 50 mg/kg Zinc: Not more than 25 mg/kg See description under TESTS
- Test: Impurities soluble in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
- Extract 20 g of finely ground sample under reflux conditions (to prevent loss of mercury) with 100 ml of 0.5 M hydrochloric acid (spectroscopic grade) for 30 min. Let solution cool, then filter through a 0.1 μm membrane filter. Wash the filter twice with hot 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Combine the filtrate and wash solution in a 200 ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Determine arsenic using an AAS (Hydride generation) technique; antimony, barium, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc by an ICP-AES technique; lead and cadmium using an AAS (Electrothermal atomization) technique; and mercury using an AAS (Cold vapour generation) technique. See “Metallic impurities” in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications (Volume 4).
INS 176 Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments, Type II
Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments, Type II, are produced by the deposition of iron salts on potassium aluminium silicate followed by calcination at high temperatures. The resulting pigment consists of potassium aluminium silicate coated with iron oxide. The pigments can be produced with a variety of different pearlescent colour effects depending upon particle size and the amount of iron oxide deposited on the potassium aluminium silicate. Particles below a size of 100 nm shall not be present. While values will vary for each individual pearlescent pigment in regards to the amounts of iron oxide and potassium aluminium silicate, particle size and pH of an aqueous slurry, general information can be provided for the pigments as a class. When considered together as a class, Type II pigments typically show ranges for iron oxide and potassium aluminium silicate in the pigments of 32-55%, and 45-68%, respectively. Similarly, when taken as a class, median particle size typically ranges from 18-25 μm.
Synonyms: Mica-based pearlescent pigments, Type II; INS 176
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- POTASSIUM ALUMINIUM SILICATE-BASED PEARLESCENT PIGMENTS, Type II Prepared at the 77 th JECFA (2013), published in FAO Monographs 14 (2013) replacing the tentative specifications prepared for potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments prepared at the 74 th JECFA (2011), published in FAO Monographs 11 (2011). A PTWI of 2 mg/kg bw for total aluminium was established at the 74th JECFA (2011). The PTWI applies to all aluminium compounds in food, including food additives. An ADI of 0-0.5 mg/kg bw for iron oxides was established at the 53rd JECFA (1999).
- Assay
- Iron oxide (Fe2O3): As labeled. Potassium aluminium silicate:
- DESCRIPTION
- Powder with distinctive sheen.
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Colour
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Determination of percent iron and aluminium: Weigh about 0.5 g of the sample to the nearest 0.1 mg, in a platinum or nickel crucible, add 5 g potassium hydroxide and 2 g boric acid, mix and melt completely using a torch burner (alkali fusion) and allow to stand at room temperature. Place the reaction product along with crucible in a 250-ml PTFE beaker, add 150 ml hot deionized water and dissolve residue by agitation. Wash the crucible with a small amount of hot water and add the washings to the beaker. Add 50 ml hydrochloric acid and transfer the contents into a 250-ml volumetric flask. Wash the beaker three times with hot water, transfer the washings to the volumetric flask and make up to volume (Solution A). Prepare the test solution by diluting Solution A with 2% hydrochloric acid solution to get the solution within the linear dynamic range of the analyzer. Analyze iron and aluminium in the test solution using ICP-AES (Vol. 4). Set instrument parameters as specified by the instrument manufacturer and use the analytical lines for iron (259.940 nm) and aluminium (396.152 nm). Determine the concentration (as μg/ml) of iron and aluminium from the respective standard curves. Calculate the percentage of iron oxide and potassium aluminium silicate using the formulas below: % Fe2O3 (w/w) in Potassium 1.43 x CFe x 250 x DF Aluminium Silicate-Based = ------------------------------- Pearlescent Pigments W x 10 % Potassium aluminium 4.92 x CAl x 250 x DF silicate (w/w) in Potassium = ------------------------------- Aluminium Silicate-Based W x 10 6 Pearlescent Pigments Where: C is Concentration of Fe or Al in the test solution, μg/ml DF is Dilution factor (dilution of Solution A to get test solution) W is Weight of sample, g
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4) Test for Iron
- Practically insoluble or insoluble in water. Passes test See description under TESTS
- Test: Test for Iron
- Use the test solution as shown under method of assay. Analyze iron in the test solution by ICP-AES technique (Volume 4). Set instrument parameters as specified by the instrument manufacturer, use the analytical line for Fe (259.940 nm).
Purity criteria
- Loss on Drying (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 0.5% (10 g sample, 105°, 2 h)
- Impurities soluble in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
- Antimony: Not more than 3 mg/kg Arsenic: Not more than 3 mg/kg Barium: Not more than 25 mg/kg Cadmium: Not more than 1 mg/kg Chromium: Not more than 100 mg/kg Copper: Not more than 25 mg/kg Lead: Not more than 4 mg/kg Mercury: Not more than 1 mg/kg Nickel: Not more than 50 mg/kg Zinc: Not more than 25 mg/kg See description under TESTS
- Test: Impurities soluble in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
- Extract 20 g of finely ground sample under reflux conditions (to prevent loss of mercury) with 100 ml of 0.5 M hydrochloric acid (spectroscopic grade) for 30 min. Let solution cool, then filter through a 0.1 μm membrane filter. Wash the filter twice with hot 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Combine the filtrate and wash solution in a 200 ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Determine arsenic using an AAS (Hydride generation) technique; antimony, barium, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc by an ICP-AES technique; lead and cadmium using an AAS (Electrothermal atomization) technique; and mercury using an AAS (Cold vapour generation) technique. See “Metallic impurities” in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications (Volume 4).
INS 176 Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments, Type III
Potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments, Type III, are produced by the deposition of titanium and iron salts on potassium aluminium silicate followed by calcination at high temperatures. The resulting pigment consists of potassium aluminium silicate coated with titanium dioxide, iron oxide and, potentially, mixed oxides. The pigments can be produced with a variety of different pearlescent colour effects depending upon particle size and the combination of titanium dioxide and iron oxide deposited on the potassium aluminium silicate. Particles below a size of 100 nm shall not be present. While values will vary for each individual pearlescent pigment in regards to the amounts of iron oxide, titanium dioxide and potassium aluminium silicate, particle size and pH of an aqueous slurry, general information can be provided for the pigments as a class. When considered together as a class, Type III pigments typically show ranges for iron oxide, titanium dioxide and potassium aluminium silicate in the pigments of 2-12%, 33-52%, and 36-65%, respectively. Similarly, when taken as a class, median particle size typically ranges from 7-25 μm.
Synonyms: Mica-based pearlescent pigments, Type III; INS 176
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- POTASSIUM ALUMINIUM SILICATE-BASED PEARLESCENT PIGMENTS, Type III Prepared at the 77 th JECFA (2013), published in FAO Monographs 14 (2013), replacing the tentative specifications prepared for potassium aluminium silicate-based pearlescent pigments prepared at the 74 th JECFA (2011), published in FAO Monographs 11 (2011). A PTWI of 2 mg/kg bw for total aluminium was established at the 74th JECFA (2011). The PTWI applies to all aluminium compounds in food, including food additives. ADIs of ‘not limited’ for titanium dioxide and 0-0.5 mg/kg bw for iron oxides were established at the 13 th JECFA (1969) and 53rd JECFA (1999), respectively.
- Assay
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2): Iron oxide (Fe2O3): As labeled Potassium aluminium silicate:
- DESCRIPTION
- Powder with distinctive sheen.
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Colour
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Determination of percent titanium, iron and aluminium: Weigh about 0.5 g of the sample to the nearest 0.1 mg, in a platinum or nickel crucible, add 5 g potassium hydroxide and 2 g boric acid, mix and melt completely using a torch burner (alkali fusion) and allow to stand at room temperature. Place the reaction product along with crucible in a 250-ml PTFE beaker, add 150 ml hot deionized water and dissolve residue by agitation. Wash the crucible with a small amount of hot water and add the washings to the beaker. Add 50 ml hydrochloric acid and transfer the contents into a 250-ml volumetric flask. Wash the beaker three times with hot water, transfer the washings to the volumetric flask and make up to volume (Solution A). Prepare the test solution by diluting Solution A with 2% hydrochloric acid solution to get the solution within the linear dynamic range of the analyzer. Analyze aluminium, titanium and iron in the test solution using ICP-AES (Vol. 4). Set instrument parameters as specified by the instrument manufacturer and use the analytical lines for titanium (334.941 nm), iron (259.940 nm) and aluminium (396.152 nm). Determine the concentration (as μg/ml) of titanium, iron and aluminium from the respective standard curves. Calculate the percentage of titanium dioxide, iron oxide and potassium aluminium silicate using the formulas below: % TiO2 (w/w) in Potassium 1.668 x CTi x 250 x DF Aluminium Silicate-Based = ------------------------------- Pearlescent Pigments W x 10 6 % Fe2O3 (w/w) in Potassium 1.43 x CFe x 250 x DF Aluminium Silicate-Based = ------------------------------- Pearlescent Pigments W x 10 6 % Potassium aluminium 4.92 x CAl x 250 x DF silicate (w/w) in Potassium = ------------------------------- Aluminium Silicate-Based 6 W x 10 Pearlescent Pigments Where: C is Concentration of Ti, Fe or Al in the test solution, μg/ml DF is Dilution factor (dilution of Solution A to get test solution) W is Weight of sample, g
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4)
- Practically insoluble or insoluble in water.
- Test for Titanium and Iron
- Passes test See description under TESTS
- Test: Tests for Titanium and Iron
- Use the test solution as shown under method of assay. Analyze titanium and iron in the test solution by ICP-AES technique (Volume 4). Set instrument parameters as specified by the instrument manufacturer, use the analytical lines for Ti (334.941 nm) and Fe (259.940 nm).
Purity criteria
- Loss on Drying (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 0.5% (10 g sample, 105°, 2 h)
- Impurities soluble in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
- Antimony: Not more than 3 mg/kg Arsenic: Not more than 3 mg/kg Barium: Not more than 25 mg/kg Cadmium: Not more than 1 mg/kg Chromium: Not more than 100 mg/kg Copper: Not more than 25 mg/kg Lead: Not more than 4 mg/kg Mercury: Not more than 1 mg/kg Nickel: Not more than 50 mg/kg Zinc: Not more than 25 mg/kg See description under TESTS
- Test: Impurities soluble in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
- Extract 20 g of finely ground sample under reflux conditions (to prevent loss of mercury) with 100 ml of 0.5 M hydrochloric acid (spectroscopic grade) for 30 min. Let solution cool, then filter through a 0.1 μm membrane filter. Wash the filter twice with hot 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Combine the filtrate and wash solution in a 200 ml volumetric flask and make up to volume with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. Particles below a size of 100 nm shall not be present. Determine arsenic using an AAS (Hydride generation) technique; antimony, barium, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc by an ICP-AES technique; lead and cadmium using an AAS (Electrothermal atomization) technique; and mercury using an AAS (Cold vapour generation) technique. See “Metallic impurities” in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications (Volume 4).
Every name it appears under
1 recorded name. A label may use any of them.
As it appears in regulation
- Mica-based pearlescent pigments
Hazard reference values
No reference value for this substance in the sources we hold.
Evidence and how bodies read it
Studies, and the differing conclusions regulators drew from them, are curated rather than machine-read, and none has been written for this substance yet.
Common questions
Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.
- What is Mica-based pearlescent pigments?
- Mica-based pearlescent pigments give confectionery and drinks a pearlescent shimmer. They are flakes of mica coated with titanium dioxide or iron oxide, and the effect comes from light interference rather than from a dye.
- What is Mica-based pearlescent pigments used for in food?
- It is listed as a colour — the role Canada and the US assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
- Is Mica-based pearlescent pigments banned in Europe?
- No. Mica-based pearlescent pigments does not appear on the EU's list of authorised food additives, which is not the same as being banned: the EU permits an additive only where it has authorised it, and usually the reason for an absence is that no one applied. The EU has made no finding against this substance. It does mean it may not be used as a food additive in the EU today.
- Where is Mica-based pearlescent pigments permitted?
- Of the seven regulators this site reads, Canada, South Korea and the US permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
- Is Mica-based pearlescent pigments vegan?
- Yes. Mica-based pearlescent pigments is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.
Sources for this page
- ca retrieved 2026-10-17
- kr retrieved 2026-10-18
- ecfr retrieved 2026-10-17
- jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23
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