Silicon Dioxide (E551): Uses and Safety
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is a naturally occurring compound of silicon and oxygen, widely used as a food additive (E551) and as an excipient in pharmaceutical products.
Things worth knowing about "Silicon dioxide"
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) is a naturally occurring compound of silicon and oxygen, widely used as a food additive (E551) and as an excipient in pharmaceutical products.
What is Silicon Dioxide?
Silicon dioxide (chemical formula: SiO2), also known as silica, is one of the most abundant compounds in the Earth's crust. It occurs naturally in various forms, including quartz, sand, and rock. In the human body, silicon dioxide is found in trace amounts in tissues such as bone, cartilage, skin, and hair. In industry, food technology, and pharmaceuticals, it is used in a synthetic, high-purity form.
Use as a Food Additive
In the food industry, silicon dioxide is approved under the designation E551. It functions as an anti-caking agent, preventing powdered foods such as salt, spices, coffee whiteners, and dietary supplement capsules from clumping together. Permitted maximum levels are regulated by EU food additive legislation.
Typical Applications in Food
- Table salt and cooking salt
- Spice powders and spice blends
- Milk powder and coffee whiteners
- Dietary supplements in capsule or powder form
- Instant soups and sauce powders
Use in Pharmaceuticals and Dietary Supplements
In the pharmaceutical industry, colloidal silicon dioxide (fumed silica) is used as an excipient in tablets and capsules. It improves powder flow during tablet manufacturing and enhances the stability of finished products. At these levels, it is pharmacologically inert, meaning it has no active pharmacological effect of its own.
Biological Role of Silicon in the Human Body
Silicon, the base element of silicon dioxide, is considered a potentially essential trace element for humans. It has been associated with supporting collagen synthesis, bone formation, and the health of skin, hair, and nails. However, research in this area is still ongoing, and no official daily intake values for silicon have yet been established by authorities such as EFSA or the WHO.
Safety and Health Assessment
Amorphous silicon dioxide, as used in food and pharmaceutical products, is considered safe by regulatory bodies including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which classifies it as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). It is not absorbed by the body and is excreted unchanged.
This should be distinguished from crystalline silicon dioxide (e.g., quartz dust), which can cause a serious lung disease called silicosis when inhaled over long periods in occupational settings. This risk is exclusively relevant to occupationally exposed individuals (e.g., in mining or construction) and is not comparable to its use in food.
Nano-Silica: Current Debate
In recent years, the use of nano-silicon dioxide (particle size below 100 nanometers) in food has been scientifically debated. In 2018, EFSA conducted a safety assessment and recommended collecting further data on the potential absorption of nanoparticles by the body. Regulation in this area is continuously being updated.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2018.
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): Information on food additives – Silicon dioxide (E 551). Berlin, 2020.
- Nielsen, F.H.: Silicon. In: Present Knowledge in Nutrition, 10th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
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