The maligned substance “silica gel,” which is simply a porous synthetic form of the mineral quartz (the principal constituent of sand, is really more of an irritant than a poison (even though they want you to “throw it away.”) The real reason it is placed into boxes is to desiccate, or dry, moisture that may jeopardize the quality of the packed product. Click here for some clever applications that involve silica gel. Of course, that does not include eating it! (LOL)
Source: What is silica gel and why do I find little packets of it in everything I buy?
The Adventures of a Christian Bookworm 