Modified Starches
ProcessedOverview
Modified food starch (also labeled as "food starch-modified" or "modified corn starch") is a common additive found in thousands of processed foods. These starches are chemically or physically altered from their natural state to provide specific properties like freeze-thaw stability, acid resistance, and improved texture. They're used extensively in sauces, soups, frozen foods, and baked goods.
269,329
Products contain this
3,129
Ingredient variations
Common forms
Modified food starch, modified corn starch, modified tapioca starch, modified potato starch, food starch-modified, resistant starch
Function
Modified food starch serves as a thickener, stabilizer, and texture modifier. It prevents sauce separation, creates smooth gravies, and maintains consistency in frozen foods after thawing. Without modified starch, many processed foods would have inconsistent textures or shorter shelf lives.
Sources
Modified starches start as natural starches from corn, tapioca, potato, or wheat. Industrial modification uses chemical treatments including acid hydrolysis, oxidation, cross-linking with phosphorus compounds, or acetylation. The modification process requires specialized reactors and precise chemical control.
Health Considerations
Modified starches may affect blood sugar differently than unmodified starches. Some modifications create resistant starch fractions that aren't fully digested. People with corn allergies should note that most modified food starch is corn-derived unless otherwise specified.
Regulatory
The FDA regulates modified food starch under 21 CFR 172.892, which specifies allowed chemical treatments and residue limits. Labels must state "modified" but manufacturers aren't required to disclose the specific modification type (acid-treated, cross-linked, etc.).
Foods Containing This Ingredient
Canned soups, frozen dinners, salad dressings, instant puddings, pie fillings, gravies, sauces, processed cheese, yogurt, ice cream, baked goods, snack foods, infant formulas
Also Known As
Modified food starch, modified corn starch, modified tapioca starch, modified potato starch, food starch-modified, pregelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl starch, acetylated starch, phosphated starch, resistant starch type 4
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Modified Starches
Showing 12 of 269,329 products, sorted by processing level