Are micas food safe?

Geri Comstock · Post by **Geri Comstock** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 7:22 pm

I looked through the archives and the old archives for an answer to this question and didn't find one.

Did anyone ever gget a definitive answer as to whether micas are food safe or not? I'm playing with PearlEx micas and want to know if they're food safe, so I can label them properly.

Thanks -

Geri

Brock · Post by **Brock** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 7:28 pm

I'm no expert on them, but I think they are inert.

They're in makeup and lipstick so . . .

Brock

Tony Serviente · Post by **Tony Serviente** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:27 pm

Ask your supplier for an MSDS on it, or call them directly for one. My intuition is same as Brocks, but better to find out for sure.

Tony Smith · Post by **Tony Smith** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:28 pm

Both Aluminum and potassium silicate (mica) and titanium dioxide (colorant) are listed on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list, and

"...may be safely used as colorants in the manufacture of articles or components of articles intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing,
processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food,..."

See US Code of Federal Regulations 21CFR178.3297

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/c ... R=178.3297

Tony

ps: the FDA doesn't approve every application of every material. They have their GRAS list and specifically list applications that they are requested to approve. In this case, it's mica in contact with food and being used in a polymer based material. If you dig into the CFR, you'll find other approved applications for mica such as a colorant for contact lenses (direct wet body contact).

Geri Comstock · Post by **Geri Comstock** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 3:33 pm

Thanks for the info, guys!

Geri