Food grade silica from PQ: Safe, Compliant and High-Performance Solutions for Food Industry

As a global leader in manufacturing silicates, silicas, zeolites and other performance materials, PQ Corporation operates in 21 countries across five continents, serving food, detergent, pulp and paper, coatings, water treatment and other key markets. Its food-grade silica product line, with synthetic amorphous silica as the core raw material, is widely recognized for its safety, strict regulatory compliance and versatile functionality, making it a preferred choice for the global food and food-related industries. Based on PQ’s official technical data sheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS), this article systematically sorts out the product portfolio, core properties, certification system, safe use and industrial applications of PQ food-grade silica.

1. Product Portfolio: Customized Grades for Full Food Scenarios

All PQ food-grade silica products are made of synthetic amorphous silica (SiO₂) (main CAS No. 112926-00-8), non-crystalline, safe and non-toxic, covering four major functional series to match edible oil refining, food anti-caking, oral care, food-contact coating and other scenarios.

1.1 Sorbsil® Series: Dust-Free Refining Agent for Edible Oils

The Sorbsil® series is specially developed for edible oil purification and impurity removal, with a dust-free formula to reduce production safety risks.

• Sorbsil® R40: A synthetic amorphous silica hydrogel, positioned as a dust-free refining agent for edible oils. Approved by the U.S. FDA as a direct food additive with a maximum addition level of 2% (compliant with 21 CFR 172.480). It should be stored in sealed bags at 2–35°C, away from strong odors, and supplied in 50-pound bags (20 bags per pallet).
• Sorbsil® R92: A modified grade containing citric acid, with enhanced impurity adsorption for edible oil refining. Key specifications: SiO₂ content 28.0–38.0%, pH 1.5–3.0 (25% solution), average particle size 14.0–22.0μm, carbon content ≥1.0%. It shares the same FDA food-grade certification and dust-free handling design as R40.

1.2 Neosyl® GP Series: Universal Anti-Caking & Flow Aid for Food & Feed

Neosyl® GP is a precipitated silica for the food and chemical industries, focusing on anti-caking, powder flow improvement, high-viscosity liquid carrying and precise dosing of high-value liquid ingredients.

As a cost-effective general-purpose grade, it meets global food and feed regulatory requirements:

• Compliant with FDA (21 CFR), FCC (Food Chemicals Codex), EU E551 (food) / E551a (feed) standards;
• Certified with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, HACCP, Kosher, Halal and FAMI-QS;
• Strictly controlled impurities: total heavy metals ≤25ppm, arsenic ≤3ppm, lead ≤5ppm, mercury ≤1ppm, Escherichia coli absent;
• Physical indicators: pH 5.5–7.5 (5% aqueous suspension), oil absorption 200–330g/100g, loss on drying (105°C) ≤7%.

Packaging includes 20kg bags, 240kg pallets and 200kg super sacks; sealed dry storage is recommended, with moisture retesting after 2 years.

1.3 Sorbosil® AC35: Food-Grade Abrasive for Oral Care & Cosmetics

Sorbosil® AC35 is a general-purpose abrasive silica, suitable for high-water-content gels (such as toothpaste) with high cleaning efficiency and low scratching.

• Regulatory compliance: FDA-approved for food, drugs, cosmetics and toothpaste; meets USP, EP and JP monographs; EFfCI Cosmetic GMP, Halal and Kosher certified;
• Hygiene control: Free of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus;
• Core parameters: Average particle size (d50) 7–15μm, pH 6.5–8.0, loss on ignition (1000°C) ≤11%;
• Packaging: 25kg bags, 525kg pallets and 500kg super sacks, with the same long-term storage requirements as other food-grade products.

1.4 Gasil® 114: Matting & Anti-Blocking Agent for Food-Contact Coatings

Gasil® 114 is a synthetic amorphous silica used as a matting agent for food-contact coatings and a high-efficiency anti-blocking agent for LLDPE films.

• Compliance: FDA 21 CFR 172.480 certified, non-hazardous to water;
• Physical properties: Average particle size 6.5μm, pore volume 1.2ml/g, pH 7, oil adsorption 200g/100g, no surface treatment;
• Packaging: 20kg valve sacks (14 sacks per pallet), stored in dry conditions to minimize dust and static buildup.

2. Core Safety & Technical Advantages

PQ food-grade silica adheres to industrial-grade quality control, with outstanding safety and stability:

1. Non-toxic and non-carcinogenic: Synthetic amorphous silica is classified by IARC as Group 3 (not classifiable as carcinogenic to humans), with no acute toxicity, non-sensitizing and non-genotoxic properties.

2. Dust and static control: The Sorbsil series adopts a dust-free formula; all grades require gentle handling to reduce dust generation and static accumulation, protecting operators.

3. Environmentally friendly: Virtually inert to the environment, no bioaccumulation, organic components are readily biodegradable, and classified as non-hazardous waste.

4. Strict impurity control: All grades meet global food safety limits for heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury) and pathogenic bacteria, ensuring food contact safety.

3. Global Regulatory Compliance Certification

PQ food-grade silica has obtained full certifications for major global markets, removing application barriers:

• United States: FDA 21 CFR 172.480 (silicon dioxide for food), TSCA inventory listed;
• European Union: E551 (food additive), E551a (feed additive), REACH pre-registered, FAMI-QS certified;
• Quality and hygiene: ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), HACCP (food safety), Kosher and Halal (dietary compliance);
• Pharmaceutical and cosmetic: Sorbosil AC35 meets USP/EP/JP monographs and EFfCI Cosmetic GMP standards.

4. Safe Handling, Storage and Transportation

4.1 Handling

• Ensure adequate ventilation, avoid dust inhalation; wear EN 166 certified safety goggles, EN 374 certified chemical-resistant gloves and dust masks;
• Prohibit eating, drinking and smoking in the workplace; take precautions against static discharge during mechanical handling.

4.2 Storage

• Keep containers tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place; Sorbsil series is recommended to be stored at 2–35°C, away from strong odors;
• Retest moisture content after 2 years to maintain product performance.

4.3 Transportation

• Classified as non-regulated goods under IATA, IMDG, RID and ADR; no special hazard labels or packaging are required;
• Non-flammable and non-explosive, safe for road, sea and air transportation.

5. Full-Scenario Applications in Food & Related Industries

PQ food-grade silica covers the entire food industry chain, providing targeted functional solutions:

1. Edible oil industry: Sorbsil R40/R92 efficiently remove impurities, improve oil clarity and quality, with dust-free operation for safer production.

2. Food processing: Neosyl GP prevents caking of powdered foods (milk powder, spices, sugar) and improves flowability, adapting to automated production lines.

3. Feed industry: Neosyl GP (E551a) acts as an anti-caking agent for feed, ensuring feed quality and storage stability.

4. Oral care: Sorbosil AC35 is a safe abrasive for food-grade toothpaste, balancing cleaning power and enamel protection.

5. Food-contact materials: Gasil 114 provides matting and anti-blocking properties for food packaging coatings and films, complying with food contact safety standards.

6. Conclusion

With synthetic amorphous silica as the core material, global regulatory compliance as the foundation, and customized functional design as the feature, PQ food-grade silica solves key industry pain points such as edible oil refining, food anti-caking and food-contact material safety. Backed by PQ’s 175 years of industrial heritage and global quality control system, these products continue to empower the food industry with safe, efficient and sustainable material solutions, becoming a reliable strategic partner for food enterprises worldwide.

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