Is Silicon Dioxide in Food Safe? A Dietitian Explains
Medically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, RDMedically reviewed by Suzanne Fisher, RDSilicon dioxide, also known as silica, is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in minerals, certain plants, and some grains. Its chemical formula is SiO2, which consists of silicon and oxygen.There are two types of silicon dioxide: amorphous and crystalline. Amorphous silicon dioxide most commonly occurs in food products. However, crystalline silicon dioxide is most common in nature. Some amorphous silicon dioxide is synthetic.The food industry widely uses silicon amorphous dioxide as an anti-caking agent in processed foods. Coffee creamer, spices, and powdered products often contain silicon dioxide to prevent clumping.Some evidence suggests that silicon dioxide helps with collagen synthesis and bone mineralization. As such, there is interest in using silicon dioxide for bone, hair, skin, and nail health. However, research on the potential benefits of silicon dioxide for human health is lacking and dated.Apart from interest in health benefits, some concerns have been raised regarding the safety of silicon dioxide.
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Silicon Dioxide SafetySilicon dioxide is generally considered safe in food products. Like other food additives, it's regulated and deemed safe for consumption in approved amounts and when manufactured correctly.The following includes details about the health impact of silicon dioxide and how agencies regulate it to ensure safety.FDA Approval: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that amorphous silicon dioxide is safe in foods as long as it is manufactured correctly and used as an anti-caking agent, a stabilizer in beer, or an adsorbent agent in tablet foods (e.g., supplements, concentrated food). The FDA also mandates that silicon dioxide not exceed 2% by weight of a food.Absorption and Toxicity: A European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluation found that amorphous silicon dioxide is poorly absorbed, meaning very little actually enters your body. The EFSA also found that silicon dioxide in foods is easily excreted and has low toxicity, even when consumed in large amounts.Inhalation Risk: Crystalline silicon dioxide is common in industrial and concrete production. Long-term inhalation of crystalline silicon dioxide particles may be dangerous. There's no compelling evidence that amorphous (not crystalline) silicon dioxide, which most commonly occurs in foods, is unsafe.Research on Its Health Effects: Silicon dioxide may offer certain health benefits when consumed, but research in this area is limited. Some proponents believe silicon from silicon dioxide in foods and supplements may benefit bone, hair, nail, and skin health. Silicon may also aid collagen synthesis and support bone mineralization. Overall, though, more research is necessary to prove any potential health benefits of silicon dioxide.Common Uses of Silicon DioxideFoods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial materials have used silicon dioxide.Silicon dioxide's primary purpose is to improve the quality and stability of these products. It does this by preventing clumping and caking and improving the flow of products.Foods: Silicon dioxide is used in certain foods to ensure even distribution and flow. The FDA allows silicon dioxide in foods as an anti-caking agent to prevent clumping up and allow it to flow freely. The FDA also permits using silicon dioxide in beer as a stabilizer. Silicon dioxide is commonly used in powdered foods, like spices, dehydrated soups, protein powders, baking powders, and instant coffee. It may also be found in processed cheese, vegetable oil, dry cereals, chewing gum, and syrup. Some plant foods, like barley, oats, wheat, rice, herbaceous plants, carrots, potatoes, green beans, apples, and bananas, naturally contain silicon dioxide.Supplements: Dietary supplements comprise more than half the products containing silicon dioxide. Similar to food uses, silicon dioxide is included in dietary supplements to improve their stability and consistency. The EFSA-approved silicon dioxide in dietary supplements is an anti-caking and anti-foam agent that allows for flow. The agency also stated that up to 1,500 milligrams (mg) of silicon dioxide in supplement form per day does not appear to be a safety concern. Supplements in capsule, tablet, liquid, chewable, and syrup form may contain silicon dioxide.Industrial Uses: Industrial production also uses silicon dioxide. Naturally found in quartz, sand, and rocks, manufacturers use it to make glass and concrete, making it a crucial part of the construction industry. Crystalline silicon dioxide is the type most commonly associated with industrial uses. People who work in mining, steel production, metal pouring, petroleum production, and furnace cleaning have an increased risk of long-term exposure to crystalline silicon dioxide. This may lead to autoimmune diseases or issues in the lungs and/or kidneys.How Much Silicon Dioxide Is Safe?The FDA and other governing agencies worldwide have set standards for the amount of silicon dioxide that is safe to include in foods and other products.According to the FDA, food products can have no more than 2% silicon dioxide by weight. The FDA also requires product labels to list silicon dioxide as an ingredient.Based on animal studies, some researchers feel that humans may safely consume as much as 1,500 mg per day. However, more research is necessary to prove these findings.PrecautionsSome types of silicon dioxide may pose health risks, while others are generally considered safe.Ingested vs. Inhaled Silicon Dioxide: According to the FDA, food-grade silicon dioxide is considered safe when ingested in appropriate amounts that don't exceed 2% of the food by weight. Crystalline silicon dioxide is different from amorphous silicon dioxide and comes with more precautions. If inhaled, crystalline silicon dioxide particles may increase the risk of certain diseases and health issues, including silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. You may be exposed to crystalline silicon dioxide particles if you grind mortar, saw, drill concrete, or manufacture brick, concrete, stone, or ceramic.Long-Term Exposure: There is some concern regarding the potential effects of silicon dioxide in long-term food and supplements. Research in this area is limited. Some lab and animal studies suggest that long-term consumption of silicon dioxide may lead to silicon deposits in organs and gastrointestinal issues. However, researchers aren't sure that these effects seen in animals are due to long-term use of silicon dioxide. The effects may also be due to dosing and the route of administration.
The Bottom LineThere are distinct differences between the silicon dioxide used in foods and supplements and the silicon dioxide found in industrial settings.Amorphous silicon dioxide is considered safe in foods and supplements as long as the amounts included are reasonable.Conversely, crystalline silicon dioxide found in concrete, stone, sand, and other industrial materials may increase the risk of various health issues if inhaled regularly.
Tips for Identifying and Using Silicon DioxideIf you're curious about using silicon dioxide, knowing how to identify it in food and supplements is essential. It's also important to make informed decisions when choosing silicon dioxide products.Reading Labels: The FDA requires that silicon dioxide is listed as an ingredient on any food or supplement label that includes it to improve the product (as an anti-caking agent, for example). Silicon dioxide may be listed on a nutrition label as silicon dioxide, silica, synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), or E551. Typically, the nutrition label will not provide information regarding how much silicon dioxide is in a product. Instead, silicon dioxide will be listed as an ingredient.Making Informed Choices: Standards are in place to ensure that the silicon dioxide in your food and supplements is safe. As a reminder, the FDA requires food manufacturers to use silicon dioxide only in small amounts that don't exceed 2% of the food's weight. If you're concerned about silicon dioxide consumption, look for minimally processed or unprocessed foods that don't contain it. Silicon dioxide is primarily found in processed foods, including dehydrated foods, powders, cheese, certain cereals, and more. Silicon dioxide supplements are usually marketed as silica. When considering a silicon dioxide supplement, look for third-party tested products from reputable brands. Also, make sure you talk with a healthcare provider before using silicon dioxide supplements to make sure they're right for you.SummarySilicon dioxide is a substance added to certain foods to improve their quality.As an anti-caking agent, silicon dioxide prevents foods from clumping together and allows flow.The FDA and other governing agencies worldwide regulate the inclusion of silicon dioxide in food, supplements, and other products to ensure its safety.Amorphous silicon dioxide commonly occurs in foods and supplements, while crystalline silicon dioxide is generally found in industrial settings. Unlike amorphous silicon dioxide in foods, industrial crystalline silicon dioxide may pose certain health risks to those who inhale it regularly.Talk with a healthcare provider if you're still wondering about safely using silicon dioxide. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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