The impact of synthetic amorphous silica (E 551) on differentiated Caco-2 cells, a model for the human intestinal epithelium

For several decades, food-grade synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) have been used as a technological additive to reduce caking of food powders. Human exposure is thus inevitable and safety concerns are taken seriously. The toxicity of silica in general and SAS in particular has been studied extensively. Overall, there is little evidence that food-grade SAS pose any health risks to humans. However, from the available data it was often not clear which type of silica was used. Accordingly, the latest report of the European food safety authority requested additional toxicity data for well-characterised "real food-grade SAS".