Anti-Foam Federal Register code

**TheCHICompany** · 10-02-2010, 02:45 PM

To all,
Some of you asked for the Federal Register Code to back up what the mfg. told us about the need for filtration of Silicone based anti-foam agents in human consumable products (beer).
Here is one of them. (Sect. C)

TITLE 21 - FOOD AND DRUGS

CHAPTER I - FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SUBCHAPTER B - FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

PART 172 - FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

subpart e - ANTICAKING AGENTS

172.480 - Silicon dioxide.

The food additive silicon dioxide may be safely used in food in accordance with the following conditions: (a) The food additive is manufactured by vapor phase hydrolysis or by other means whereby the particle size is such as to accomplish the intended effect.

(b) It is used as an anticaking agent, subject to the following conditions: (1) It is used in only those foods in which the additive has been demonstrated to have an anticaking effect.

(2) It is used in an amount not in excess of that reasonably required to produce its intended effect.

(3) [Reserved] (4) It is used in an amount not to exceed 2 percent by weight of the food.

(c) It is used or intended for use as a stabilizer in the production of beer, and is removed from the beer by filtration prior to final processing.

(d) It is used or intended for use as an adsorbent for dl-a-tocopheryl acetate and pantothenyl alcohol in tableted foods for special dietary use, in an amount not greater than that required to accomplish the intended physical or technical effect.

RogerMcAllen · 10-02-2010, 03:08 PM

Silicone dioxide is sand, using it would be like using bentonite as filter aid. I think you are looking for

Title 21, Chapter 1, CFR 173.340 Defoaming agents
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2006/aprqtr/pdf/21cfr173.340.pdf

This section includes the 10 ppm spec you were quoting for FermCap, which is Dimethylpolysiloxane.

Hermit · 10-02-2010, 03:58 PM

http://www.yesmsds.com/chemicals2/cas/msds/brewerssupplygroup_com_FermCap%20S%205D01530%20MSD S%20Apr07%20Update/index.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simethicone
It is a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and silica gel.

Considering the number of products you can get this in that are meant for straight consumption, ya gotta wonder....

Also, the manufacturer claims it falls out of suspension offering 'proof' in saying it would wreck the head of the beer if it didn't and people that use it, I'm not one. Users don't seem to have problems with the head on their beer backing the claim that it doesn't make it into the final product.

**TheCHICompany** · 10-02-2010, 04:31 PM

Thank you for the input.
That is the MSDS sheet for that product.

Leave it up the the Gov't to make things complicated!!

The original post dealt with our offering of a non-silocone based anti-foam product. Questions arose about some of the statements about the product.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f41/new-product-anti-foam-agent-non-silicone-198143/

Will leave this post open for another day or two and then will close it to prevent whineyness.
I believe we have sufficiently answered the original questions.

Matt

**daugenet** · 10-10-2010, 07:29 PM

I am brewing right now and plan on adding this to the fermenter. I plan on doing a comparison between this and another anti-foam agent. Currently I am going to just go with the dosage that the other agent uses (2 drops per gallon) though when using a calculator it would appear that I should be using A LOT more to get the 200-400 ppm that the MSDS recommends.....