Silica Gel

[c00ky83]

What is Silica Gel/Dessicant and why does packaging always contain it?  Do not eat?  OK, you're the boss.

[rja211077]

it absorbs moisture, hence 'dessicant'. stops whatever is contained from going damp, mouldy, etc.

[john91]

silica gel changes colour as it absorbs moisture, going from either blue to pink or pink to blue, i cant remember which, but can be re-used by gently warming in an oven to drive off the absorbed moisture, it will then change colour again.

[brachiopod]

Silica gel is itself colourless.

The stuff you are thinking of john91, is silica gel which has cobalt chloride added to it - this gives it a blue colour in the anhydrous state, and turns pink when water is present.

[rojash]

Yes, but why does it say "Do not eat"?
After all, there are many thing that you should not eat, but they are not all labelled as such (my fax machine, for example).

[brachiopod]

But I presume you don't usually try and put edible fax-machine shaped objects in your tea or on you chips, rojash.

The fact that silica gel is usually encountered as a white, crystalline powder enclosed in a small, manufactured paper-like packet runs the risk of it being confused with either sugar or salt, which are often similarly packaged.

You could also argue it should have 'Do not snort' on it, too.

Though not exactly toxic (silica gel is a form of super porous silicon dioxide aka. 'quartz', aka 'sand') Haz Regs generally recommend that silica gel dust is not breathed in.

[Gef]

It's the cobalt chloride which is poisonous.

[Gnisy]

Silica Gel absorbs moisture in the packaging that could lead to natural processes that will alter the product, making it unfavorable to the consumer who bought it. I think the 'do not eat' is just to inform you that it is not there for consumption but for 'maintenance' of the product.
But I'd like to know what silica gel does to the body if one was to consume it =)

[bigveg]

you should never eat silica i did it once because it said not to and the squirrels found out and they came after me i woke up screaming and they were taking little bites out of me and i asked them to stop but they said no you ate the little packet of silicone and now your going to die but then dave the disco badger came and battered the squirrells faces in with his disco ball mace and i said cheers dave and he said dont eat it again it really annoys the squirrells and i may not be around next time to rescue you and thats why they print that on the little packets