Tag: Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate

Food additives like E1442 are used in over 91% of processed foods, but many people don't know what they do. So, what is the function of E1442, also known as hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate? It is primarily used as a highly effective thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in the food industry to enhance product texture and stability.

Modified starches, including thickener E1442 (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate), are found in a vast number of processed foods, from sauces to desserts. While many assume all modified starches are gluten-free, the reality is more complex due to the varying plant sources used in their production.

Modified starches like maize thickener 1442 are used in a huge range of processed foods, with one large French study finding that over 91% of subjects had consumed some form of modified starch. This article explores the properties, production, and wide-ranging applications of this common food additive known chemically as hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (E1442).

Despite being derived from natural plant sources, thickener 1442 undergoes a chemical modification process and is therefore not considered a natural ingredient. This modification transforms ordinary starch into a more functional and stable additive for processed foods.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a large percentage of consumers ingest modified starches like hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate through common food products. This synthetically modified ingredient is not a single natural substance but rather a chemical derivative, starting with natural starch and then undergoing significant processing to enhance its functionality.