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E900Anti-caking agentLow concern
Dimethylpolysiloxane
In plain words
The short version
A food-grade silicone anti-foaming agent — stops fryer oil from foaming (hence fast-food fries) and appears in gum.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
JECFA ADI 0–1.5 mg/kg body weight; in 2020 EFSA set a higher ADI of 17 mg/kg body weight per day and found no safety concern at reported uses. Inert and essentially unabsorbed; considered safe at the tiny levels used.
The detail
A food-grade silicone (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS).
An anti-foaming agent — it stops cooking oil from foaming and spattering in deep fryers (its use in fast-food fries), and controls foam in jams and drinks. Also a component of some chewing-gum bases.
Clear, viscous silicone oil, insoluble in water, spreading to break surface foam.
Permitted in the EU and globally with limits; in the US it is an approved defoaming agent (21 CFR 173.340), generally limited to 10 parts per million in food.
Sources
- EFSA FAF Panel — Re-evaluation of dimethyl polysiloxane (E 900) as a food additive (2020) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2020. Safety: new EU ADI of 17 mg/kg bw/day; very limited absorption; no safety concern
- JECFA database — Dimethylpolysiloxane (INS 900a) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2011. JECFA ADI 0–1.5 mg/kg bw (re-established 2011)
- 21 CFR 173.340 — Defoaming agents — US eCFR (FDA). US: regulated defoaming food additive, 10 ppm limit (not a GRAS listing)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 — Union list of food additives (Annex II to Reg. 1333/2008) — Publications Office of the EU (Official Journal), 2011. EU uses: frying oils, jams, drinks, chewing gum (100 mg/kg)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.