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Silicon Dioxide

By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

Alternate Names: silica dioxide, silica, silica gel, diatomaceous earth, kieselsol, colloidal silica, E551

Naturally present: as sand, quartz and other minerals; in cell walls of diatoms

Commercial Sources: synthetic (processes often involve petrochemical-based compounds), mineral

Used in: dry mixes (soup, seasoning, cake, pizza, bread, and beverage), spices, salt, flour, sugar, shredded cheese, powdered egg, wine, beer, vitamin tablets

Used as: anti-caking agent, anti-foaming agent, moisture absorbent, wine and beer fining agent

Definition: Composed of only silicon and oxygen, silicon dioxide is one of the most common anti-caking agents. It is also widely used in the construction and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industries.

Manufacturers:

Reade

Huber Engineered Materials

Shanxi Jinjin Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. wrote that “There are no animal ingredients in the silicon dioxide.”

Yianlid Industrial Co., Ltd. said in an email that “…There is not any animal content in the [silicon dioxide]” and sent a certificate analysis for silicon dioxide.

Additional Information:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.480

Section 205.605 in: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5104011

Classification: Vegan

Entry added: March 2015

For information on other ingredients see: http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php

The contents of this posting, our website and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgement about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

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