Allervibe
E551
Silicon dioxide
A fine amorphous silica powder used to stop powdered foods from clumping.
i Additive Details
| Is E551 Silicon dioxide safe?
Amorphous silica is barely absorbed from the gut and is not a recognised allergen. EFSA re-evaluated E551 in 2018 and could not confirm its safety, not because of evidence of harm but because the particle size distribution was poorly characterised and part of the material falls in the nanoscale range; it called for tighter specifications. Food-grade E551 is the amorphous form, not the crystalline quartz form linked to lung disease when inhaled at work.
| Uses
Keeps table salt, spice blends, powdered soups, instant drink powders, grated cheese and supplement powders free-flowing by coating the particles and taking up moisture. It is also used as a carrier for flavourings and as an anti-foaming agent in some drinks.
| Interactions
Chemically inert in food; it does not react with proteins, fats or acids and works purely physically by separating particles. It belongs to the same group as calcium silicate (E552), magnesium silicates (E553a) and talc (E553b), which are used for the same job.
| Origin
Made synthetically, either by burning silicon compounds in a flame to give fumed silica or by precipitating it from a sodium silicate solution. It is chemically the same substance as sand, but in a non-crystalline form.
| Daily Intake
JECFA and the former EU Scientific Committee for Food set the ADI as not specified, meaning use at the levels needed for a technological effect was not considered a concern. EFSA left the intake question open in 2018 pending better data on particle size.
Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Related additives
- E460 Powdered cellulose Purified plant fibre, used as a bulking agent, anti-caking agent and thickener.
- E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate An emulsifier made from castor oil that thins melted chocolate so it flows and moulds evenly.
- E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate An emulsifier and dough strengthener made by combining stearic acid with lactic acid.
- E901 White and yellow beeswax A natural wax produced by honeybees, used to glaze and coat foods.
- E903 Carnauba wax A hard plant wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm, used to polish and glaze foods.
- E553b Talc A soft natural magnesium silicate mineral used as an anti-caking and surface-treatment agent.
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