Other forms of silicon dioxide, specifically ones that contain crystalized versions, can cause a variety of lung problems. Are Silica Gel Desiccants Dangerous?Īs I said above, silica gel desiccants are not harmful. They can hold up to about 40% of their weight in water before they need to be dehydrated again.ĭehydrated silica gels in non-bead forms are used in food, makeup, shoe soles, paint, adhesives, and tires. The beads hold the water molecules indefinitely, or until the pellets are heated up enough to release the water. In its bead form, it binds water molecules to its surface, sucking the molecules out of the surrounding air. It’s a dehydrated version and loves to bond with water, which is why it works so well as a help to control moisture. The type of silica gel we use to keep packaged food dry is not quite the same, even though it is the same molecule. Popular toothpaste brands use hydrated silica gel as an abrasive gel that can scrub plaque and stains off your teeth. In commercial forms, silica has many uses. It does react with some other chemicals, but those chemicals are rarely used outside of chemical or manufacturing plants. Some speculate that silicon dioxide makes up as much as 12% of the planet’s surface. It’s the main component of sand, quartz, obsidian, opals, and even seashells. Silicon dioxide itself is naturally occurring and can be found everywhere. Simply put, silica gel is a man-made form of silicon dioxide. That’s not at all what the science says, and I’m happy to say that we’re confidently using it to keep our dehydrated foods mold-free. When I was looking into the safety of silica gel products, I found more than a few blogs claiming that silica gel is harmful. In the US, the FDA recognizes that it is safe to use and does not require approval for use with food in amounts of less than 2% when added directly to food. It is unregulated in most countries as silica gel is inert and not toxic. Silica gel will not change or permeate the food it’s packed with. Food-grade silica gel desiccants are safe to use to remove moisture from food. (I’m looking at you, blueberries!) We wanted to know if including silica gel packets would harm our food or us. Sometimes we can’t get all the moisture out of our produce. One of our recent discussions was whether silica gel would be worth including in our dehydrated fruit packs. We are halfway through summer, and my wife and I are bulking up our dehydrated food supply.
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