Silica

Silica, silicon dioxide, occurs in crystalline, cryptocrystalline, and amorphous hydrated forms. It is a a common dietary component with many food-industry roles, including beer stabilization, vegetable-oil refining, and immobilizing proteins and enzymes. Its inertness and high surface area make it a versatile processing aid. As an anti-caking agent it keeps powdered foods free-flowing. It is safe, inert, and endlessly useful. Industry would struggle without it. Its purity is strictly controlled. It keeps powders flowing freely. In the food industry it serves in stabilization of beer, refining of vegetable oils, and as an anti-caking agent in powders.