Modified Food Starch Gluten Free Diet. Modified food starch is starch that has been treated with an acid or another chemical to change the protein structure of the starch. A modified food starch is an important part of a gluten free diet.
But what does it mean when your favorite packaged product lists the vague mystery ingredient. On foods regulated by the fda, wheat has to be specified on the label so the label will say “modified wheat starch,” “modified food starch (wheat),” or wheat will. Modified food starch (wheat) (1) rye and barley are not used as starches so you do not need to worry about those in relation to modified food starch.
Hidden gluten ingredients in food
The last few ingredients on the list are “less than two percent of modified food starch, salt, sugar, onion powder, monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, natural smoke flavoring.”. The biggest concern is cross contamination. Unless modified food starch has the word “wheat” next to it, then it’s derived from corn, therefore free of gluten. Again, you should avoid modified food starches made from wheat products until you have spoken with your healthcare provider about safely consuming this food item.