From a Food & Drug Law standpoint, this highlights an important regulatory gap.
FDA regulates whether an ingredient is safe for its intended use in food, not whether repeated occupational inhalation of an airborne powder is safe for workers. That moves the issue toward OSHA and workplace exposure standards.
“Food-grade” does not automatically mean “safe to breathe eight hours a day.”
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Since mid July, Starbucks baristas have reported sore throats and headaches after making certain blended drinks. The likely cause is a new powder used to smooth texture, containing gum arabic, maltodextrin, and food grade silica. Workers say it becomes airborne when scooped by hand. Starbucks says the silica is food safe, though fine dust can still irritate the lungs. What’s approved for customers to drink isn’t always evaluated for what workers breathe all day. Know what you’re drinking.
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