Origin
E 551, used in the food industry, is obtained from naturally occurring quartz sand and is usually further processed into powder form. The crystals of powdered silica have on one hand the property to absorb a lot of water physically from the environment, and on the other hand, the silicon dioxide crystals can envelop food particles and thus protect them from caking.
Usage
E 551 is mostly used as an anti-caking agent in powdered dry foods to maintain their flowability. Additionally, it is used in sliced cheese or grated cheese, cooking salt and salt substitutes, spices, and dietary supplements. The maximum permitted quantity for use varies among different foodstuffs but usually stands at 10 g/kg.
Risks
No acceptable daily intake (ADI) value has been established for the anti-caking agent E 551. E 551 is considered safe for the human organism.