While the term modified food starch may accurately describe this ingredient, the use of the word “food” in its description interjects some ambiguity into the mix. What foods are modified? Possible sources include the following:
- Corn
- Potato
- Tapioca
- Rice
- Wheat
Contents
Uses
Food starches are modified to make them easier to use in certain recipes. Modified starch has many uses in food products:
- Making a product easier to dissolve in cold water or milk for instant gelatinized recipes
- Helping powdered foods, like powdered cheese sauce and gravy, have a less lumpy consistency when mixed
- Serving as a fat substitute for low-fat foods
- Acting as an emulsifier for salad dressings in order to keep oils from separating
- Forming a hard shell on some candies like jelly beans
- Producing foods with longer shelf lives
- Acting as a thickener for soups
Benefits
Modified food starch is a product that offers functional benefits like gelling, thickening and bulking and contributes to the overall quality of food and beverages.
Cautions
If you are concerned about gluten in foods containing modified food starch, there are a few ways you can avoid it:
- Check the label for the words “Gluten Free”. This means the company has undergone testing and is certifying their foods as safe for consumption.
- Call the company who manufacturers the food and ask. The U.S. Food Administration requires accountability of manufacturers regarding the food they produce. If in doubt, contact the producer before you consume products containing modified food starch.
- Eat more whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and meats that do not contain added ingredients such as food starch.
Interactions
Please talk to your doctor.
Other names
n/a
References
Source: Glutenlovetoknow, http://gluten.lovetoknow.com/What_Is_Modified_Food_Starch