European Food Safety Authority confirms safety of silica as food additive - Food and Drink Technology

Posted: 22 October 2024

Related core topics: Ingredients

Related topics: anti-caking agent, food additive, powdered food, silica, silicon dioxide, synthetic amorphous silica

Related organisations: European Food Safety Authority, Evonik

Related people: Emmanuel Auer, Jean-Louis Philippe

Evonik has announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has once again confirmed that silica is safe to use in food, including infant and baby food.

In its recent scientific opinion on silicon dioxide as food additive E 551, published on 17 October 2024, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings concludes that E 551 does not raise safety concerns in any population group, including infants under 16 weeks of age, at the current usage level.

“This EFSA opinion strengthens end-consumer confidence in safe food ingredients that comply with regulatory standards. The food industry can continue relying on our silica as an approved, safe and highly effective anti-caking agent for sustainable food production,” comments Emmanuel Auer, head of the silica business line.

Evonik produces special grades of silicon dioxide for food applications, known as synthetic amorphous silica (SAS). It is a naturally derived substance of highest purity.

Globally used as a food additive and food processing aid in a wide range of basic foodstuffs, silica enhances efficiency, handling properties, and sustainability criteria throughout the food value chain.

“As a free-flow and anti-caking agent for powdered foods, silica ensures, for example, that milk powder and vegetable powders do not clump during processing and storage, and that spices trickle finely from the shaker,” explains Jean-Louis Philippe, global marketing director & regional head EMEA specialty silica.

Silica was approved as a food additive in the 1960s by various regulatory authorities. In the European Union, SAS is approved as food additive with the identification number E 551. This approval guarantees to all consumers that silica as a food additive is safe and can be consumed in foods without concerns. E numbers are assigned only to substances that have been tested, declared safe, and are technologically necessary. E 551 is regularly re-evaluated by the EFSA to incorporate new technical data.

Evonik has been producing silica for more than 80 years using the same production processes. Product specifications, particle structure, and characteristics have remained consistent.

Evonik is a leading global manufacturer of silica. In addition to the precipitated silica brands Sipernat, Zeofree, Ultrasil, and Zeodent, the company also produces fumed silica under the brand name Aerosil and other products for various industries worldwide.