If you are hip to the all-natural scene, you may have heard about diatomaceous earth (DE). DE has become a popular way to eliminate pests and boost health.
With the wide variety of uses and such an array of products, it is imperative to find the DE targeted to your needs.
The 5 Best Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth Products
- DiatomaceousEarth.com (Food Grade) (Our Top Pick)
- Nature’s Wisdom Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
- Fossil Power Diatomaceous Earth
- Earthborn Elements Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth
- Harris Diatomaceous Earth
Our Top Pick for the Best Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
DiatomaceousEarth.com (Food Grade)
DiatomaceousEarth.com’s product is of the highest quality, and the company also takes pains to ensure that consumers understand how to use it.
Check the price on AmazonFood Grade vs. Pool Grade
First and foremost, there are two types of DE: food grade and pool grade.
Food grade, or Food Chemical Codex Grade, DE meets health and safety standards established by the FDA. Food grade diatomaceous earth is safe for use in homes and as a nutritional supplement.
Pool grade DE is not safe to eat or use around your home because of impurities and its high heavy metal content.
Food grade DE is composed of around 85-95% amorphous silica. Amorphous silica comes from fossilized seashell deposits found in fresh water. Pool grade DE is made of crystalline silica, which has been heated through natural or commercial processes.
How Do You Use DE?
1. Pesticide
Diatomaceous Earth is often used as a natural pesticide. The silica-based shells of the fossilized diatoms are like shards of glass to insects. When insects walk across the diatoms, the DE cuts their exoskeletons, which injures and dehydrates the insects. Yes, this is brutal, but flea, ant, and bed bug infestations are also brutal.
In order to use DE as a pesticide, you sprinkle it over the affected indoor or outdoor area. If you are trying to kill pests in your garden or on the patio, DE is an effective solution. Beware that DE kills crawling insects indiscriminately. You could harm beneficial insects by applying this product.
If you are treating an indoor area, be prepared for dust. You will need to wear a mask while you are applying the DE, and let it settle before you reenter the area. Your skin may also become dry due to the awesome dehydrating powers of DE.
There are duster tools available to help you apply the product evenly. You can also suspend some DE in liquid and spray it in the area you wish to treat. DE is not effective when it is wet, but once it dries, it regains its potency.
Following the instructions for DE is critical to reaping the benefits of it. When you sprinkle DE onto your carpet, you are committing to leaving it on the carpet for a week or more. If you vacuum it too quickly, then it will not have a chance to be effective. With indoor infestations, you might have to apply DE more than once depending on the life cycle of the critter that you are exterminating.
2. For Pets
DE is often used as a flea treatment and dewormer. To get rid of fleas, rub DE into your pet’s coat. For internal use, consult your veterinarian first to be sure DE is a good option for your furry friend.
3. Health Improvement
When using DE as a dietary supplement, start by consulting a health care professional. If you are cleared to use DE, integrate it into your diet slowly so that you can adjust. DE is usually added to a smoothie or yogurt in order to make it more palatable. It should not have a strong taste, but it will affect the texture of its carrying agent.
Dehydration is possible when you use this product. Drink extra water while you are consuming DE as a supplement.
Regulations
FDA
When a manufacturer states that their product satisfies FDA regulations, they are verifying that the product was handled and packaged in a way that minimizes health risks.
Products that pass FDA muster are also considered safe for ingestion. FDA regulations do not address the specific health benefits of DE. The health applications of DE have not been verified or supported by the FDA, but research from a myriad of other sources reveals potential medicinal uses for DE.
OMRI
If you are a gardener or farmer interested in organic agriculture, then you will need to pay attention to the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listing for the product. This listing is critical if you are trying to label your produce as certified organic.
Many product labels boast that they are on the OMRI-list. When I checked the most current OMRI listings for this roundup, I found that many products that claimed to be listed are not on the list.
Other Considerations
Packaging
When it comes to DE, not all packaging is created equally. Since DE is a fine powder, it is messy. If you opt for a product that doesn’t have a nice resealable container, make sure you have something to place it into so that you don’t wind up with a mess and wasted product.
DE dust is white to off-white. I have used this on a cream-colored carpet with no ill-effects, but if you are worried about staining, color test a small area first. Due to the fineness of the powder, DE can wreak havoc on a vacuum cleaner.
Some DE brands come with scoops or applicators to make it easier to use the product with minimal waste.
Best Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade Reviews
1. DiatomaceousEarth.com (Food Grade)
DiatomaceousEarth.com’s product meets FDA standards for food-grade DE. It is processed and packaged on stainless steel equipment to prevent contamination. DiatomaceousEarth.com’s DE is OMRI-listed, which is a definite win if you are interested in using it for organic gardening.
This product is available in 2 lb., 5 lb., 10 lb., 25 lb., and 50 lb. packages. The packages are recycled paper bag with stitching at the top. If you can open a bag of pet food, then you can handle this packaging.
The company states that their product is sourced from a location in the western US.
Pros
- Meets FDA standards
- OMRI-listed
- Great packaging, available in 5 different sizes
- Sourced in USA
Cons
- No applicator
2. Nature’s Wisdom Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Nature’s Wisdom DE is FDA approved for human consumption. While some companies are not clear about what the FDA standard means, this company explicitly defines the standards for consumers.
This DE comes in 3 lb plastic jars and 5 lb airtight plastic bags. The 5lb. plastic bag will protect your DE from contamination, but it is not going to be as easy to store in this packaging.
The company’s website does not contain much information. Instructions on the package are limited to the appropriate feed ratio for animals. If you wish to use this for pest control or as a dietary supplement, you will need to do some additional research.
Even though Nature’s Wisdom doesn’t offer much in the way of instructions, their product is an effective personal detox system and pest control method.
Pros
- Meets FDA standards
- Company’s transparency about standards
- 3lb. jar is convenient
Cons
- Not for sale in California
- Not OMRI-listed
- No instructions on the package
- 5lb. packaging is not convenient
3. Fossil Power Diatomaceous Earth
Fossil Power’s DE meets FDA standards. Their packaging claims that their DE is OMRI-listed, but I was not able to verify this product’s listing in the OMRI database or in the downloadable OMRI list.
The product is available in 1 lb., 2 lb., and 5 lb. resealable packages. There are some instructions for use on the packaging. This package specifically details the dosage to take if you are looking to reap some health benefits from using DE.
The website that the package directs customers to use does not appear to be active.
Pros
- Meets FDA standards
- Resealable packaging
Cons
- Unclear OMRI-listing status
- Price
4. Earthborn Elements Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth
Earthborn Elements diatomaceous earth meets strict FCC food-grade standards so it is very safe for human and animal consumption. The 100% pure diatomaceous earth contains amorphous silica that is naturally sourced from freshwater in Utah.
You can use the DE for body detoxification, improving digestive health, boosting your immune system, increasing energy, pet health, pest control, and even remove fungus on your plants.
Their diatomaceous earth is available in a 1-gallon bucket and a 3.5-gallon bucket. It can be a bit challenging to get the lid off the bucket, but it is a convenient way of safely storing the DE when you are not using it.
Pros
- Meets FCC standards
- 100% naturally sourced from freshwater in Utah
- Can be used for humans, pets, house, and garden
Cons
- Potential consumer confusion: DE is sold by weight, but this type comes in a container that usually measures volume
5. Harris Diatomaceous Earth
You can use the Harris diatomaceous earth with total confidence as it meets FDA standards for human and animal consumption and it is a fully organic OMRI listed product.
The food-grade diatomaceous earth (fossil shell flour) has been naturally sourced from freshwater in Nevada and contains absolutely no chemicals.
You can use the DE as a dietary supplement to improve your health and the health of your pets, and for pest control. The 2 lb resealable packet comes with a powder duster for easy application of the DE into a smoothie or your animal’s feed.
Harris donates 10% of its products to support the Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS) which campaigns for the protection of animals.
Pros
- Meets FDA standards and listed with OMRI
- Sourced in USA
- Comes with a scoop
- Convenient packaging
Cons
- The packaging is not overly strong
- The dust power applicator comes in the bag and creates a lot of messy airborne powder
Our Top Pick for the Best Diatomaceous Earth
DiatomaceousEarth.com (Food Grade)
DiatomaceousEarth.com’s DE is a cut above the rest. Their labeling is clear and updated, and their current OMRI-listing is easily located online. In terms of pricing, this is one of the least-expensive DE products.
The company’s website had the most up-to-date information, and they had the greatest transparency in terms of their sourcing and packaging in comparison to other products. While the packaging is not as convenient as Safest’s bucket, the bag is eco-friendly and user-friendly.
DiatomaceousEarth.com’s product is high quality, and the company also takes pains to ensure that consumers understand how to use it.
Check the price on Amazon
