Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSilicon Dioxide SafetyCommon UsesHow Much Is Safe?PrecautionsTips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Silicon Dioxide Safety
Common Uses
How Much Is Safe?
Precautions
Tips
Silicon 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:amorphousandcrystalline. 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 withcollagensynthesis 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 is generally considered safe in food products. Like otherfood 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.
Common Uses of Silicon Dioxide
Foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial materials have used silicon dioxide.
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.
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.
Some types of silicon dioxide may pose health risks, while others are generally considered safe.
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.
The Bottom Line
There 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.
There 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 Dioxide
If 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.
Summary
Silicon 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.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Huang Y, Li P, Zhao R, et al.Silica nanoparticles: biomedical applications and toxicity.Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;151:113053. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113053PubChem.Silicon dioxide.Kwon RY, Youn SM, Choi SJ.Oral excretion kinetics of food-additive silicon dioxides and their effect on in vivo macrophage activation.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1614. doi:10.3390/ijms25031614Martin KR.Silicon: the health benefits of a metalloid.Met Ions Life Sci. 2013;13:451-473. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_14U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.Younes M, Aggett P, Aguilar F, et al.Re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive.EFSA J. 2018;16(1):e05088. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5088Sadowska A, Świderski F.Sources, bioavailability, and safety of silicon derived from foods and other sources added for nutritional purposes in food supplements and functional foods. Appl Sci. 2020;10(18):6255. doi:10.3390/app10186255U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Types of food ingredients.Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Silica, crystalline.Lamas B, Martins Breyner N, Malaisé Y, et al.Evaluating the effects of chronic oral exposure to the food additive silicon dioxide on oral tolerance induction and food sensitivities in mice.Environ Health Perspect. 2024;132(2):27007. doi:10.1289/EHP12758
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Huang Y, Li P, Zhao R, et al.Silica nanoparticles: biomedical applications and toxicity.Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;151:113053. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113053PubChem.Silicon dioxide.Kwon RY, Youn SM, Choi SJ.Oral excretion kinetics of food-additive silicon dioxides and their effect on in vivo macrophage activation.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1614. doi:10.3390/ijms25031614Martin KR.Silicon: the health benefits of a metalloid.Met Ions Life Sci. 2013;13:451-473. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_14U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.Younes M, Aggett P, Aguilar F, et al.Re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive.EFSA J. 2018;16(1):e05088. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5088Sadowska A, Świderski F.Sources, bioavailability, and safety of silicon derived from foods and other sources added for nutritional purposes in food supplements and functional foods. Appl Sci. 2020;10(18):6255. doi:10.3390/app10186255U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Types of food ingredients.Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Silica, crystalline.Lamas B, Martins Breyner N, Malaisé Y, et al.Evaluating the effects of chronic oral exposure to the food additive silicon dioxide on oral tolerance induction and food sensitivities in mice.Environ Health Perspect. 2024;132(2):27007. doi:10.1289/EHP12758
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Huang Y, Li P, Zhao R, et al.Silica nanoparticles: biomedical applications and toxicity.Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;151:113053. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113053PubChem.Silicon dioxide.Kwon RY, Youn SM, Choi SJ.Oral excretion kinetics of food-additive silicon dioxides and their effect on in vivo macrophage activation.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1614. doi:10.3390/ijms25031614Martin KR.Silicon: the health benefits of a metalloid.Met Ions Life Sci. 2013;13:451-473. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_14U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.Younes M, Aggett P, Aguilar F, et al.Re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive.EFSA J. 2018;16(1):e05088. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5088Sadowska A, Świderski F.Sources, bioavailability, and safety of silicon derived from foods and other sources added for nutritional purposes in food supplements and functional foods. Appl Sci. 2020;10(18):6255. doi:10.3390/app10186255U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Types of food ingredients.Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Silica, crystalline.Lamas B, Martins Breyner N, Malaisé Y, et al.Evaluating the effects of chronic oral exposure to the food additive silicon dioxide on oral tolerance induction and food sensitivities in mice.Environ Health Perspect. 2024;132(2):27007. doi:10.1289/EHP12758
Huang Y, Li P, Zhao R, et al.Silica nanoparticles: biomedical applications and toxicity.Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;151:113053. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113053
PubChem.Silicon dioxide.
Kwon RY, Youn SM, Choi SJ.Oral excretion kinetics of food-additive silicon dioxides and their effect on in vivo macrophage activation.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1614. doi:10.3390/ijms25031614
Martin KR.Silicon: the health benefits of a metalloid.Met Ions Life Sci. 2013;13:451-473. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-7500-8_14
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.
Younes M, Aggett P, Aguilar F, et al.Re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive.EFSA J. 2018;16(1):e05088. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5088
Sadowska A, Świderski F.Sources, bioavailability, and safety of silicon derived from foods and other sources added for nutritional purposes in food supplements and functional foods. Appl Sci. 2020;10(18):6255. doi:10.3390/app10186255
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Types of food ingredients.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Silica, crystalline.
Lamas B, Martins Breyner N, Malaisé Y, et al.Evaluating the effects of chronic oral exposure to the food additive silicon dioxide on oral tolerance induction and food sensitivities in mice.Environ Health Perspect. 2024;132(2):27007. doi:10.1289/EHP12758
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