Pure food grade. DE is not earth or dirt. It is the fossilized remains of Melosira Preicelancia, microscopic one-cell aquatic plants. As these diatoms fossilized they retained their tubular shape and holes. Their shape and hardness produces DE that is extremely pure and consistent. This is amorphous silica in its naturally occurring state. It is from one of the four out of 600 DE deposits rated Chemical Codex Food Grade by FDA standards. The Diatomaceous Earth people are talking, writing and blogging about. There are dozens of blogs, newsletters and websites outlining the uses for DE - in the home and garden, for your pets and poultry, as a beauty aid, and many other reasons people are using this remarkable mineral every day. Within the Food-Grade classification there is a wide variance in texture, smell and taste. These depend on where it is mined, how it is processed and how finely it is sifted. Diatomaceous Earth packaged under the Lumino label comes from an extremely pure fresh water deposit. It is almost pure white and contains on average 92% silicon dioxide. The FDA has allowed DE for agricultural use since the 1960's. Numerous studies have shown feeding DE results in improved animal health and growth. The recommended amount is 2% dry weight. If mixed with water use one teaspoon with two cups of liquid. Read more about Diatomaceous Earth at www.LuminoWellness.com. We welcome your questions or comments. If you want to use DE as a pesticide/insecticide buy Lumino Diatomaceous Earth for pets. It is an EPA registered product (EPA No. 87949-I).