What Is Modified Food Starch

Doing so could be crucial to your health.

What is modified food starch. Modified food starch has virtually no nutritional value which is why it is so widely used in processed foods. Typical modified starches for technical applications are cationic starches hydroxyethyl starch and carboxymethylated starches. While modified food starches can be made from a variety of foods including corn waxy maize tapioca potato or wheat in north america the most common sources are modified corn waxy maize and potato. Modified food starch is commonly found in foods where it is used as a texture stabilizing agent.

It is important to note that regardless of the type of. Common types of modified food starch. And it can be used to make things stickier. Always take the time to read the label to ensure any food you eat is free of it in the absence of other gluten free certification.

If there is anything to worry about with modified food starch its that it can be derived from wheat. Use as food additive edit as an additive for food processing food starches are typically used as thickeners and stabilizers in foods such as puddings custards soups sauces gravies pie fillings and salad dressings and to make noodles and pastas. Modified food starch can be found in many process foods. Or an anti caking agent.

Typically labels will list the source from which the starch was modified as modified corn starch however unless it is derived from one of the top eight allergens in this case wheat it is not required by law to be listed this way. It can be used to keep defrosted frozen foods from dripping water. Modified food starch is a chemically altered food ingredient made from starch. There are a total of 16 types of modified starch approved by jecfa that are listed with ins number while in europe ins1400 ins1401 ins1402 ins1403 ins1405 are not considered to be food additives so you may not find it in the.

Acid treated starch ins 1401 also called thin boiling starch is prepared by treating starch or starch granules with inorganic acids eg. Modified food starch in label. Because many starches may contain gluten or have been contaminated with gluten be on the look out for this ingredient in many of the foods sold today if you are eliminating gluten from your diet. It may be listed as food starch modified or its name or e number or ins number.

Using these chemicals modified food starch can be used for more than just thickening sauces like regular starch. Hydrochloric acid breaking down the starch molecule and thus reducing the viscosity.