Polydimethylsiloxane, sounds tasty
doesn’t it? Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s think it is at
least. The chemical has been stirring up some discussion recently due to
its appearance in fast-food menu items. It belongs to a group of polymeric compounds commonly
referred to as silicones, and applications of the chemical range from
contact lenses and medical devices to shampoo and conditioners (making
the hair shiny and slippery), caulking, heat resistant tiles, polishes,
cosmetics, silly putty, and the list goes on.
The FDA approved chemical is classified as “non-toxic,” even though it is non-biodegradable and its commercial use in breast implants has decreased due to “safety concerns.” Under section 176.200, polydimethylsiloxane is listed as a defoaming agent which is an acceptable additive to food:
| Sec. 176.200 Defoaming agents used in coatings. |
| The defoaming agents
described in this section may be safely used as components of articles
intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing,
preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food, subject
to the provisions of this section.(a) The defoaming agents are prepared
as mixtures of substances described in paragraph (d) of this section.(b)
The quantity of any substance employed in the formulation of defoaming
agents does not exceed the amount reasonably required to accomplish the
intended physical or technical effect in the defoaming agents or any
limitation further provided.(c) Any substance employed in the production
of defoaming agents and which is the subject of a regulation in parts
174, 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179.45 of this chapter conforms with any
specification in such regulation.
(d) Substances employed in the formulation of defoaming agents include:
(1) Substances generally recognized as safe in food.(2) Substances subject to prior sanction or approval for |
Surprisingly, the FDA also approved
formaldehyde as a preservative for anti-foaming agents. Formaldehyde is
recognized as a carcinogen by the CDC.
Domino’s Pizza lists
the ingredient in their breadsticks, cheese bread, as well as in their
“garlic butter oil,” commonly used on most of their pizzas. McDonald’s lists
polydimethylsiloxane as an additive in their cooking oils, meaning that
their infamous McNuggets and french fries are saturated in the
chemical. Wendy’s Also uses the ingredient in their cooking oils.
The FDA states that anti-foaming agents are “generally recognized as
safe in food. ”The term “generally” is an elusive one at best. The
question begs, why is the FDA approving food additives such as
polydimethylsiloxane and formaldehyde when the substances frequently
find industrial uses?
Material Data Safety sheets
state that polydimethylsiloxane (or dimethicone for short) degrades to
formaldehyde under higher temperatures, a concern due to the chemical’s
use in fast-food cooking oils. Another MSDS
revealed dangers associated with fires/explosions and
polydimethylsiloxane, which can generate formaldehyde as a by-product of
oxidative thermal decomposition at temperatures greater than 150
degrees C.
In 2006, The Milkweed
released a report in their monthly magazine which singled out Leprino
Foods, the main manufacturer and supplier of cheese for Pizza Hut, as
using polydimethylsiloxane as an anti-foaming agent for their cheese.
Leprino sent a letter in response stating that they received the patent
for using the chemical but that “many practices are often claimed in
patents, but are not utilized commercially.”
The use of polydimethylsiloxane provides
yet another example of a “trusted” governing body letting the public
down by the unethical regulation of our food. As time goes on I trust we
will see more of the corruption behind the FDA being exposed. In the
meantime, do yourself a favor and avoid the aforementioned fast food
choices. It is clear there is a war being enacted on our health, and
ultimately the only person who can save you is you.
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