Comparing E551 - Silicon dioxide vs E550 - Sodium silicate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 241 products
Found in 12 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is silicon dioxide safe?
Yes—food-grade silicon dioxide (E551), a synthetic amorphous silica used as an anti-caking agent, is permitted by regulators (e.g., FDA GRAS; EFSA found no concern at current uses) at typical food levels. This differs from inhaling crystalline silica dust, which is hazardous.
What happens if you eat silica gel?
Silica gel is an inert, amorphous silicon dioxide desiccant; if swallowed it usually passes through without being absorbed, though it can cause brief stomach upset or pose a choking risk. Indicator varieties (e.g., cobalt-dyed) aren’t meant to be eaten—seek advice if a child swallows a packet or a large amount.
Is silicon dioxide bad for you?
Not at the small amounts used in foods—E551 is considered safe and is largely not absorbed by the body. The main risk with silica is from inhaling crystalline silica dust, not ingesting food-grade amorphous silica.
Is silica bad for you?
In foods, amorphous silica (E551) used as an anti-caking agent is regarded as safe at permitted levels, and most ingested is excreted. Health concerns mainly relate to occupational inhalation of crystalline silica, which is hazardous.
What is silica gel?
Silica gel is a porous, amorphous form of silicon dioxide used as a desiccant to control moisture in packaging. It isn’t a food ingredient, and “Do not eat” labels are to prevent choking or misuse.
What is sodium silicate used for?
In foods, E550 sodium silicate is used mainly as an anti-caking/flow agent in dry powders; outside food it serves as a binder/adhesive and deflocculant in detergents, paper, cement, and ceramics.
Is sodium silicate toxic?
At the low levels used in foods it isn’t considered toxic by major regulators, but concentrated solutions are strongly alkaline and can irritate or burn skin, eyes, and the GI tract.
How to use sodium silicate in pottery?
Use it as a deflocculant by adding very small amounts (often with a little soda ash) to clay slip until the desired specific gravity/viscosity is reached; it can also be brushed on and the surface stretched to create crackle textures—wear gloves and avoid over‑addition.
Is sodium silicate safe for skin?
Undiluted or moderately concentrated sodium silicate is not skin‑safe because it’s caustic; only very dilute formulations (as in some cosmetics) are used on skin, and even then may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.