In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated a Nanotechnology Task Force (NTF) to address the regulatory concerns associated with the use of nanoscale materials in FDA-regulated products. Silicon dioxide in its amorphous form, a white metal oxide, is an approved food additive in the United States. It has been used as an anticaking agent in powdered food products, a chill proofing agent in malt beverages, and a filter aid in wines, beer, and juices for many years. During production, there is the possibility of nanoscale silicon dioxide particles to occur in food additives; however, there are currently no data on the particle size distribution of food additive silicon dioxide. In line with the NTF, we characterized and analyzed the particle size distribution of commercially available food-grade silicon dioxide using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field Effect Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) assay. These data serve as a foundation to address potential regulatory concerns as well as an assessment of the current state of these types of food additives.

Particle size distribution of food additives: Silicon dioxide study

256th National Meeting (2018)

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