Silicon Dioxide Food Grade (E551) · Free-Flow, Anti-Caking & Carrier Solutions

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Silicon dioxide; amorphous synthetic silica (E551).
• Form:
  • Typically supplied as a very fine, white powder,
  • Available in different particle size distributions and surface areas to match specific applications.
• Odour & taste: essentially odourless and tasteless at application levels.
• Solubility: insoluble in water and organic solvents, but dispersible; remains as a finely divided solid phase in the product.
• Functional properties:
  • Anti-caking & flow aid – reduces cohesion and bridging in powders prone to caking,
  • Carrier & adsorbent – porous structure allows adsorption of oils, antioxidants, flavors, vitamins and colours to create free-flowing powdered concentrates,
  • Support for antioxidant and vitamin performance – by controlling moisture and improving dispersion, silicon dioxide indirectly supports stability and uniform distribution of antioxidant and vitamin systems.
• Density & flow: bulk density and flow parameters can be tailored via grade selection to match premix and packaging requirements.
• Regulatory & purity: produced to meet food-grade specifications aligned with relevant purity criteria (e.g. limits on heavy metals, loss on drying, loss on ignition, pH, soluble salts).

Atlas offers application-driven silica grades designed for spice blends, beverage powders, vitamin & antioxidant premixes, instant soups, sauces, tableted supplements and functional food systems.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are defined for each project and supplier. Typical food-grade silicon dioxide E551 parameters include:

• Assay (as SiO₂): generally ≥ 99.0% on ignition, within defined limits.
• Appearance: white, fine powder, free from visible contaminants and extraneous matter.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure stable handling and free-flow properties.
• Loss on ignition: within specification to verify purity and absence of excessive volatile matter.
• pH (in suspension): within a defined, neutral to slightly acidic range, suitable for most food systems.
• Specific surface area: defined per grade (e.g. m²/g range) to match carrier and anti-caking performance.
• Particle size distribution: optimised for homogeneous blending, minimal dust and desired flow.
• Heavy metals & selected elements: limited in accordance with food additive purity criteria.
• Microbiological profile: low counts consistent with good manufacturing practice for food ingredients.
• Optional properties: oil absorption capacity, tapped density, moisture content defined for carrier applications.

Each batch is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documents (GMO status, allergen declarations, origin, contaminants, dietary suitability, Halal/Kosher certificates, etc.) are available from qualified producers depending on the grade and target markets.

Anti-caking & flow aid applications

• Seasonings, spice blends & savoury mixes – reduces caking and lumping in salt-based blends, spice mixes, coatings and marinades, improving flow through dosing and packaging equipment.
• Beverage powders & instant drinks – used in fruit drink mixes, instant tea/coffee, sports & energy drink powders and meal replacements to maintain free-flow characteristics, especially in humid conditions.
• Bakery & dessert mixes – helps keep cake mixes, pudding powders, custards, instant desserts and hot chocolate powders free-flowing during storage and distribution.
• Soup, sauce & gravy powders – prevents bridging in hoppers and silos and ensures consistent dosing into fillers, sachet lines and stick packs.
• Functional food & fibre blends – improves handling of high-fibre or high-protein blends that may be otherwise cohesive and difficult to dose.

Carrier for vitamins, antioxidants & flavors

• Vitamin premixes (A, D, E, K & other oil-soluble vitamins) – silicon dioxide acts as a carrier and free-flow aid for encapsulated or adsorbed vitamins used in fortified foods, beverages and supplements.
• Antioxidant systems – supports powdered blends of antioxidants (e.g. BHA, BHT, tocopherols and plant extracts) by improving flow, dispersion and homogeneous dosing into fats, oils and dry formulations.
• Flavors & colours – provides a carrier surface for liquid flavors and colours, enabling conversion into free-flowing powders suitable for dry mixes and instant products.
• Sweetener and acidulant blends – enhances flow and minimises caking in intense sweetener, acidulant and buffer premixes used in beverage and confectionery production.

Nutraceuticals & dietary supplements

• Tablets & capsules – silicon dioxide is used as a glidant and anti-caking agent to improve powder flow into tableting and encapsulation equipment.
• Vitamin & mineral powders – helps maintain free-flowing, dust-controlled premixes for use in fortified foods, beverages and sports nutrition.
• Specialty blends – used as a carrier and adsorbent for oily botanical extracts, nutraceutical actives and functional lipids to produce dry, dosable forms.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage levels:
  • Typical use levels are low and depend on regulatory limits, powder characteristics, desired flow improvement and application type,
  • Used in line with regional additive legislation and good manufacturing practice (GMP).
• Incorporation methods:
  • Can be dry-blended with the bulk powder or premix,
  • For carrier applications, oils or liquid actives are typically sprayed or slowly added onto silica under controlled mixing to achieve uniform adsorption and free-flow.
• Grade selection:
  • High surface area grades are suited for carrier and adsorption applications,
  • Optimised particle size and density are important for dust control, flow and blending behaviour.
• Process compatibility:
  • Compatible with most spray drying, blending, sachet filling and tableting processes,
  • Should be evaluated in pilot trials to confirm impact on flow, dosing accuracy and sensory profile.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Typically labelled as “silicon dioxide” or “E551” depending on local regulations,
  • Regulatory teams must confirm authorised uses, maximum levels and labelling requirements in each destination market and product category.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food-grade silicon dioxide (E551) with specifications covering assay, particle size, surface area, loss on drying/ignition, pH and impurity limits.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet describing key analytical parameters and test methods.
• Additional documentation may include GMO and allergen status, origin, contaminants & heavy metal data, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), BSE/TSE statements and Halal/Kosher certificates.
• Production sites generally operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems; further certifications can be provided on request.
• Customers are responsible for verifying allowed uses, maximum levels, additive status, labelling and nutrition/health claims in each destination market.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 10–20 kg or 25 kg multi-wall paper bags or fibre drums, with inner liners to protect from moisture and contamination.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other antioxidants, preservatives, vitamins, sweeteners, thickeners and functional ingredients from the Atlas portfolio.
• Store in a cool, dry place, in well-closed packaging, away from moisture, strong odours and direct sunlight to maintain flowability and performance.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the specification and COA; customers should validate powder flow, dosing accuracy and stability in their own processes and packaging formats over shelf life.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored quote, please share your applications (seasonings, instant beverages, vitamin/antioxidant premixes, nutraceutical powders, tablets/capsules, etc.), target functions (anti-caking, flow aid, carrier), required particle size/surface area, annual volume, packaging preferences, documentation/certification needs (e.g. Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits) and destination markets. Our team will propose suitable silicon dioxide grades and system concepts tailored to your projects.