Dimethylpolysiloxane

Additive · E 900

Dimethylpolysiloxane is a silicone polymer added in small amounts to control foam during food processing and frying. Also called PDMS or E900, its food-grade form contains long, methyl-capped chains. Permitted amounts depend on the food and country where it is used.

Also known as

dimethyl polysiloxane · polydimethylsiloxane · poly(dimethylsiloxane) · PDMS · dimethicone · dimethyl silicone · E 900 · E900 · INS 900a · INS900a

Why PRūF tracks it

Available food-use assessments describe very limited absorption of the polymer; uncertainty remains about impurities and long-term human outcomes, while laboratory silicone findings require careful material and exposure comparisons.

Read the research

Food-grade dimethylpolysiloxane is a mixture of long silicone chains used to control foam. Available absorption studies suggest that little enters the body after swallowing, with most recovered material leaving in feces. EFSA’s 2020 assessment found no systemic safety concern at reported food uses and set an acceptable daily intake of 17 mg/kg body weight. Its modeled intake estimates were much lower.

JECFA retains a separate, lower value of 0–1.5 mg/kg for specified material. These values come from different assessments and should not be averaged. Long-term rat evidence did not show increased tumors; eye changes in other studies were attributed to direct contact with treated feed or contaminated fur. This does not mean every silicone material is biologically inactive.

A 2021 laboratory study found membrane interactions, while a 2026 worm study reported toxicity from components used to make silicone devices. Neither demonstrates harm from ordinary dietary exposure to food-grade PDMS. Purity remains relevant because smaller cyclic contaminants can behave differently. Direct long-term human food-use evidence remains limited.

Research reviewed on September 5, 2026 · 12 sources