Flours & Starches
BasicOverview
Refined and whole grain flours used as primary ingredients in baked goods, pasta, and processed foods. Includes wheat flour, corn flour, rice flour, and alternative grain flours commonly found in ultra-processed products.
669,154
Products contain this
20,657
Ingredient variations
Common forms
All types of flour and starches including wheat, rice, corn, potato
Function
Provides structure and texture in baked goods, acts as thickening agent in sauces and soups, serves as coating for fried foods, and functions as bulking agent in processed food formulations.
Sources
Produced by milling grains including wheat, corn, rice, oats, and alternative grains. Processing ranges from whole grain stone-milling to highly refined industrial processes removing bran and germ.
Health Considerations
Refined flours lack fiber and nutrients present in whole grains. High glycemic index of white flour contributes to blood sugar spikes. Whole grain flours provide more nutrients but still undergo processing.
Regulatory
FDA requires enrichment of refined wheat flour with thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and iron. Whole grain flours exempt from enrichment requirements. Gluten-free flours subject to specific labeling regulations.
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Flours & Starches
Showing 12 of 669,154 products, sorted by processing level