Product Name: Edible Silica Gel
Chemical Name: Silicon Dioxide
CAS Number: 7631-86-9
Intended Use: Food additive, moisture absorber, anticaking agent in various food products
Manufacturer Information: Provided by producer on packaging
Emergency Contact: Refer to local poison control or health services
Physical Description: White, odorless, tasteless granular or bead-like solid
Synonyms: Precipitated silica, hydrated silica
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous for use in food at designated limits
Label Elements: No pictogram required
Major Health Hazards: Dust may cause mechanical irritation to eyes or respiratory tract during handling
Environmental Hazards: Expected low ecological hazard; poorly soluble in water, does not bioaccumulate
Precautionary Statements: Avoid generating dust, use with adequate ventilation, prevent inhalation of fine particles
Ingredient: Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Purity: Minimum 99.7% by weight
Additives: None present for edible grade
Impurities: Trace minerals (aluminum, iron, calcium — within regulatory limits)
Form: Granules or beads manufactured for ingestion as food additive
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; seek medical advice if breathing discomfort persists
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with plenty of water and soap to remove dust
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses; seek medical advice if irritation continues
Ingestion: Toxicity extremely low for edible silica; if large quantity has been swallowed, rinse mouth, drink water, contact health professional
Flammability: Not flammable
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or CO2 (material does not burn)
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: May produce airborne dust under strong mechanical handling
Protection for Firefighters: Use standard protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus for particulates
Personal Precautions: Minimize dust generation, use a dust mask, avoid contact with eyes
Environmental Precautions: Sweep spilled product to prevent entry into drains
Clean-Up Methods: Sweep up granules carefully, collect for use or disposal, ventilate area if dust is present
Safe Handling: Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of dust, handle with care to prevent breakage of packaging
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after handling
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, keep packaging tightly sealed
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with hydrofluoric acid; reacts chemically to form toxic silicon tetrafluoride gas
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to limit dust in the workplace
Personal Protection Equipment: Safety glasses, lightweight gloves, dust mask for prolonged handling
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for inert dust — 15 mg/m3 (total dust), 5 mg/m3 (respirable fraction)
Hygiene Measures: Food-safe protocol, avoid eating or drinking while handling raw product form
Appearance: White, porous, hard granules or beads
Odor: None
Taste: None
pH (suspension): 6.0–7.5
Melting Point: >1600°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Solubility: Insoluble in water and organic solvents
Bulk Density: 0.5–0.8 g/cm3
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Other Characteristics: Chemically inert, non-volatile, does not undergo hazardous reactions under normal conditions
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of storage and use
Possible Reactions: Reacts with hydrofluoric acid to form silicon tetrafluoride
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, especially hydrofluoric acid
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Produces silicon tetrafluoride in presence of hydrofluoric acid
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with acids, particularly hydrofluoric acid, excessive moisture leading to product clumping
Acute Toxicity: Practically non-toxic by oral ingestion (rat LD50 > 5000 mg/kg)
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence for carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity when used as food additive
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion
Symptoms: May cause mild irritation to eyes and respiratory tract in dust form
Classification: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by FDA for food use
Further toxicology data: Not absorbed significantly from the gastrointestinal tract; eliminated unchanged
Ecotoxicity: Minimal toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial organisms
Persistence: Chemically inert, not expected to degrade or contaminate soil or water
Mobility in Soil: Poor solubility; remains in particulate form
Bioaccumulation Potential: No bioaccumulation expected
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish): Not hazardous at concentrations used in food production
Disposal Methods: May be disposed of as non-hazardous solid waste in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations
Unused Material: Can be landfilled or incinerated with general waste
Packaging Disposal: Recycle or dispose of packaging depending on local regulations
Precautions: Avoid uncontrolled release of significant quantities into environment
UN Number: Not regulated
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated for transport
Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: Not assigned
Marine Pollutant: No
Special Transport Precautions: Protect package from physical damage and moisture
FDA Status: Approved as a direct food substance under 21 CFR 172.480
EU Regulation: Recognized as a food additive (E551) in the European Union
Labeling requirement: Additive name and code listed on ingredient panel for foods
TSCA Status: Listed in the United States Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
Other Applicable Laws: Compliant with Codex Alimentarius and national food safety standards where used
