× Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
Top Posters
Since Sunday
5
o
5
4
m
4
b
4
x
4
a
4
l
4
t
4
S
4
m
3
s
3
New Topic  
Anonymous Anonymous
wrote...
5 years ago
From what I learned in high school, silicon dioxide is SAND. So why do foods contain sand?!
Read 155 times
6 Replies

Related Topics

Replies
wrote...
5 years ago
You're right, it is sand, but not as long as a grain of sand -- we're talking nano-particles here (100 nm). While I'm not sure why it exactly would be an *additive*, I do know that many people commonly ingest it - in the form of vegetables. Silica is fairly common in plant cell walls. One study I know of (there might be more) suggests that silicon dioxide may help lower cholesterol.

One theory says that silica is added to increase the crunch. Silica is poorly absorbed by the body, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue (and again, it's commonly found in edible plants). I'm guessing that the danger with eating those silica gel packets found in beef jerky packages and other snacks (used to keep the pack dry) is the possibility of *inhaling* it. That would cause silicosis, which would be bad, but far chance from that happening because it's incorporated into the food.
wrote...
5 years ago
It is used as a drying agent in powdered typed foods.
wrote...
Staff Member
5 years ago
I was also looking it up to see why it is used in food, but found no answer. I noticed it's the last ingredient in Nestea iced tea mix, and that can't be for "crunchiness" since liqueds aren't normally crunchy.
Ask another question, I may be able to help!
wrote...
5 years ago
silicon Dioxide is used in the making of bread, made and baked in Wal-Mart Stores in the Northeast US. The bread ingredients label says "& Not more than 2% Silicon Dioxide added (as an anti-caking agent)" It also appears again in the same list saying "Not more than 2% each of Calcim Silicate & Silicon Dioxide added (as an anti-caking agent)"
wrote...
5 years ago
Silicon dioxide is also added to many foods and supplements. As a food additive, it serves as an anticaking agent to avoid clumping. In supplements, it's used to prevent the various powdered ingredients from sticking together.
wrote...
5 years ago
I know that inhaling crystalline silica DUST can cause silicosis. The gel packets don't have dust, they typically have beads. If you want to see why you should not eat them, pour a fresh dry pack of the beads into water and watch them explode Face Screaming in Fear
New Topic      
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  1146 People Browsing
Related Images
  
 983
  
 8443
  
 3353