Harris Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Harris Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is composed of 100% ground freshwater DE, with no additives. The product is made of the naturally occurring fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae that forms in freshwater. Our DE is mined in north western Nevada, near the California border. The DE deposits came from the western side of the Pleistocene era Lake Lahontan.
WHAT IS DIATOMACEOUS EARTH?
A diatom is a one-celled plant, so tiny that it must be magnified thousands of times to be seen. Diatoms take the minerals out of the water and build a protective shell. As they die, the shells drift to the bottom of the ocean or lake bed and form thick layers of Diatomaceous Earth (DE). P.F. Harris Manufacturing, Inc. relies on nothing but the best supplier for Diatomaceous Earth. Their mining operations have more than 40 years of experience and is known worldwide for using a grade and quality of Diatomaceous Earth that is extremely pure. It was important to have a consistent shaped diatom and no unwanted sediment. The shape of the diatom must be tubular with holes on the walls. It must be fresh water because the diatoms form a harder shell and are less fragile that those in salt water. Salt water deposits contain a mix of diatom species. These deposits shapes and sediments are inconsistent, making them unusable for our products.
P.F. Harris Manufacturing OMRI listed products are commonly used in sustainable agriculture. This product is used by many certified organic growers and livestock, poultry and dairy operations and are also used in certified Organic grain and seed operations throughout the world. OMRI listed products certainly fill the bill for living a green, organic sustainable lifestyle whether you are in business or for your personal use at home. Out of 600 deposits in the US only 4 are considered "Food Grade" by the FDA standards. Other food grade deposits may contain higher amounts of sediment and clay that make them less effective. Depending upon how the deposits were formed, clay particles may be present in sufficient quantities to clog the pores of the fossilized shells. If this is the case, the effectiveness of the Diatomaceous Earth is severely reduced. We have analysis of many other "Food Grade" deposits and are confident that we still obtain the Diatomaceous Earth for our products from the purest fresh water source.
P.F. Harris Diatomaceous Earth Food Gradeis a very pure form of Diatomaceous Earth used as an anti-caking feed additive.
All Diatomaceous Earth is not the same.
Diatomaceous Earth packaged under our Harris Diatomaceous Earth label comes from an extremely pure fresh water deposit of fossilized Aulacoseira diatoms created in the Miocene epoch. Why is this diatom so special? Its shell is made of amorphous silica (not crystalline- without a crystalline structure). Its shape and hardness in the fossilized form are important to how it works. Its hardness keeps it from dissolving in liquid. The diatom’s tubular shape and holes along the diatom's wall allow it to absorb moisture, hence its use as an anti-caking agent. The tubular shape of the diatom gives it more surface area than other shaped diatoms. This means it has a greater absorptive capacity with the holes that open to the center and improved mixing and flow of animal feed. This product does not swell, does not absorb nutrients and poses no long term hazard when used as an anti-caking agent in your animal's feed. With 89% (and often more) Silicon Dioxide plus numerous trace minerals, Harris
Diatomaceous Earth is almost pure white when dry and appears light tan when wet. Other diatomaceous earth deposits often contains an excess of a particular mineral such as iron or a high percentage of clay giving it a darker color or a reddish tint. Common Uses for Harris Diatomaceous Earth
Harris Diatomaceous Earth is beneficial to add to bird seed and animal feed, such as sweet feed, that contain sticky substances like molasses or used and stored in areas of high humidity that cause the feed to clump. It used as an anti-caking agent improves the flow of sticky feeds. Harris Diatomaceous Earth mixed in the feed, coats each particle making it difficult for the particles to stick together. Its ability to absorb excess moisture helps prevent feed from molding in high humidity conditions.   Harris Diatomaceous Earth anti-caking agent is to be mixed at a rate not to exceed 2% of the dry weight of the ration. This means, when mixing, in every one hundred pounds of feed, 2 pounds of feed is replaced by 2 pounds of this product. All regulated products are sold by the information on the label.  Be sure that your livestock have access to plenty of water, since DE tends to absorb moisture in the digestive system. Repeat as often as you use feed in place of grazing. Please note Diatomaceous Earth has the ability to absorb moisture and therefore is not recommended for use with reptiles due to the fact that it may dry out their skin. *Always consult with your vet before introducing any supplements to your animal’s diet. This product is not intended for use as a pesticide.  If you are looking for a Diatomaceous Earth for use to control insects then Click Here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is food grade diatomaceous earth and where does it come from?
Food grade diatomaceous earth is made of the naturally occurring fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae that forms in freshwater. These remains are ground up into a soft, fine white powder. Our diatomaceous earth is mined in Nevada (see pictures below) and packaged in Georgia in our manufacturing facility.
Can your food grade diatomaceous earth be consumed by humans?
We chose to market our Freshwater Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth as a feed additive for animals. Unfortunately for legal reasons we cannot recommend using it for anything other than what is printed on our label.
Does food grade diatomaceous earth have a shelf life?
No, food grade diatomaceous earth will remain good indefinitely as long as it’s kept clean and dry.
Can I use food grade diatomaceous earth as an insect killer?
We chose to market our Freshwater Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth as a feed additive for animals. Unfortunately for legal reasons we cannot recommend using it for anything other than what is printed on our label.  Our product is not sold as an insecticide.
Is Diatomaceous Earth hazardous?
The IPM Practitioner, Monitoring the Field of Pest Management, William Quarles, Volume XIV, Number 5/6, May/June 1992 offers information on the safe and not safe types of Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous Earth used in pool and aquarium (any water) filtration contains Diatomaceous Earth that has been chemically treated and heated making the silica crystalline which is a dangerous respiratory hazard and lethal if ingested. The fresh water naturally occurring Diatomaceous Earth deposits that are designated "Food Grade" by the FDA have less than 1% crystalline silica and all other sediment that are considered unsafe are also below harmful limits and is considered GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the FDA. These deposits are primarily Amorphous Silica which is harmless when ingested and is commonly used in feed and food industries. The Department of Agriculture in Michigan said in a letter "Our animal pathologist has examined the vital organs and intestinal components submitted, both macroscopically and microscopically, and has found no visible evidence of organ abnormalities.  These components consisted of brain, thyroid, rib section, lung, heart, liver, true stomach, small intestine section, large intestine section, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and forestomach. organs were submitted under affidavit as being from a slaughtered dairy cow having our supplier’s material added to the feed for approximately five years." The University of Arkansas did a study to determine whether the addition of Diatomaceous Earth was harmful to chickens. Their conclusion: "It posed no threat."
Is food grade diatomaceous earth harmful if inhaled?
Diatomaceous earth is not any more harmful to your lungs than dust found in your home. The FDA has granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status to food grade diatomaceous earth. We recommend using a dust mask if applying large amounts indoors, especially for those with sensitive lungs.
Does this product contain any known allergens?
Harris Diatomaceous Earth does not contain any of the allergens listed below nor is it manufactured in a facility used to process any of the following: Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean shellfish, Tree nuts, Wheat, Peanuts, or Soybeans.  This product is mined, sifted for debris, milled to a flour like consistency and bagged. There are no added ingredients. This product is not manufactured from genetically modified (GMO) organisms and does not contain genetically modified products. These remains are ground up into a soft, fine white powder that carries many different uses. It’s chemical free and completely safe to use around children and pets. A powder duster is included in every bag for easy application. Ensure that the cap is screwed on tightly and the diatomaceous earth is kept as dry as possible, as it will not puff properly if wet. Harris Diatomaceous Earth is listed with the Organic Minerals Research Institute (OMRI) for organic use. It’s sealed tight and packaged in a 10.5lb bag that can be resealed and easily reopened for ongoing usage. Included in the bag is a powder duster, allowing for easy application of a fine dusting of powder.
Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade Where to Buy?
Our Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade is available to buy on our website or in local retail stores near you. Please scroll to the top of the page and click either of the links above. In case of accidental spillage here is a link on instructions for
How to Clean Up Diatomaceous Earth
Purchase For a Cause:
For every ten dollars in profit we receive for Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade, we have pledged to donate $1 to the Etowah Valley Humane Society (EVHS), a private non-profit organization that saves thousands of animals every year. Click Here to Read More About the Program
