Common Products: What Products Have Maltodextrin in Them?

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), maltodextrin is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) food additive, but it appears in a huge array of products. This is a comprehensive overview of what products have maltodextrin in them, from baked goods to sports drinks, and explains its function and how to spot it on labels.

Quick Summary

This article explores the wide range of packaged foods, drinks, and supplements containing maltodextrin, an additive used for thickening, binding, and preserving. It details its presence in everyday items like baked goods, snacks, and condiments, as well as specialized sports nutrition products.

Key Points

Prevalence: Maltodextrin is a highly processed, common food additive found in a wide variety of packaged foods, from snacks to supplements.
Products: Look for maltodextrin in baked goods, potato chips, crackers, salad dressings, powdered drink mixes, and infant formulas.
Function: It is used as a thickener, filler, stabilizer, and preservative to improve a product's texture and extend its shelf life.
Absorption: Maltodextrin is a fast-digesting carbohydrate with a high glycemic index, which can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.
Impact: High consumption is a concern for individuals with diabetes or those monitoring blood sugar, though it provides quick energy for athletes.
Labeling: To identify it, you must carefully read ingredient lists on packaged foods, where it may also appear as "corn maltodextrin" or "potato maltodextrin".

Understanding the Ubiquity of Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin, a white, flavorless powder, is one of the most widely used food additives in the modern food industry due to its versatility and low cost. Derived from plant starches like corn, rice, potato, or wheat, it serves multiple functions from a thickener and filler to a stabilizer and preservative. Despite being derived from natural sources, it is a highly processed ingredient with a high glycemic index, meaning it can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar. For this reason, many health-conscious consumers and individuals with diabetes make an effort to identify and limit products that contain it.

Where to Find Maltodextrin: A Category Breakdown

Maltodextrin's applications span across numerous food and drink categories, often without the consumer realizing it. It's used to improve texture, extend shelf life, and add bulk in low-fat or low-sugar products.

Processed Snacks and Baked Goods:

Potato chips and crackers: Maltodextrin is used to carry flavorings and add crispness.
Granola bars and protein bars: It acts as a binder and provides quick-release energy.
Cakes, pastries, and cookies: It is used as a bulking agent and to improve texture.

Beverages and Drink Mixes:

Sports and energy drinks: Maltodextrin is a crucial ingredient for athletes, providing a fast source of energy to replenish glycogen stores.
Powdered drink mixes: It helps in easy solubility and is used as a bulking agent.
Artificial sweeteners: Often combined with artificial sweeteners to provide bulk and a texture similar to sugar.

Condiments, Sauces, and Dressings:

Salad dressings (especially low-fat): It is a common thickener and texturizer.
Sauces and gravies: Provides consistency and prevents ingredient separation.
Spice mixes and instant soup packets: Acts as a filler to increase volume and improve flow.

Dairy and Frozen Products:

Yogurts: Used to add thickness and creamy texture, particularly in low-fat versions.
Ice cream and frozen desserts: Controls ice crystal growth and adds body.
Non-dairy creams: Acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer.

Infant Formulas and Specialized Foods:

Infant formula: Maltodextrin is used to provide carbohydrates and ensure a consistent texture.
Meal replacement shakes and dietary supplements: Provides a fast-digesting carbohydrate source.

A Comparative Look: Maltodextrin vs. Alternatives

To understand why manufacturers choose maltodextrin, it's helpful to compare its properties with other common thickeners and fillers. While maltodextrin is popular for its low cost and neutral flavor, alternative ingredients offer different nutritional profiles and functional benefits.


Feature	Maltodextrin	Cornstarch	Tapioca Starch	Guar Gum	Arrowroot Powder
Source	Corn, rice, potato, wheat	Corn	Cassava root	Guar beans	Roots of the arrowroot plant
Processing Level	Highly processed	Processed (varies)	Processed (can be less)	Processed	Less processed
Glycemic Index (GI)	High (80-120)	High (varies)	Low (varies)	Low	Low
Primary Function	Thickener, filler, binder, energy source	Thickener	Thickener, binder	Thickener, stabilizer	Thickener
Flavor	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral	Flavorless	Neutral
Texture	Smooth, creamy	Clear, glossy	Clear, glossy	Gel-like	Soft, velvety
Cost	Inexpensive	Low to moderate	Moderate	Higher	Higher

Spotting Maltodextrin on Ingredient Labels

Since maltodextrin is so prevalent, learning to read labels is the most effective way to manage your intake. Manufacturers must list it in the ingredients, though it may sometimes be referred to by its source, such as "corn maltodextrin". It is often found near the middle or end of the ingredient list, but for some products, like sports supplements, it may be a primary component. Being diligent about checking processed snacks, low-fat items, and powdered goods can help you identify its presence.

The Takeaway

For most people, maltodextrin is safe in small amounts as part of a balanced diet, but high consumption can contribute to rapid blood sugar fluctuations, especially for individuals managing conditions like diabetes. Its role in feeding certain gut bacteria has also raised some questions regarding long-term gut health, warranting further research. While its functional benefits make it a food industry staple, opting for whole, unprocessed foods and seeking alternatives like arrowroot or tapioca starch can be beneficial for those aiming to reduce their intake. By being an informed consumer, you can make more conscious dietary choices to align with your health goals.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for questions about your specific dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manufacturers use maltodextrin primarily because it is an inexpensive and highly functional additive. It acts as a thickener, bulking agent, stabilizer, and preservative, helping to improve the texture, consistency, and shelf life of many products.

Technically, maltodextrin is a polysaccharide, a chain of glucose molecules. However, because it's rapidly digested and absorbed like a simple sugar, it causes a significant and fast spike in blood sugar, similar to table sugar but with a higher glycemic index.

You can identify maltodextrin by reading the ingredient label on any packaged food or drink. It is listed explicitly as "maltodextrin" or sometimes as "corn maltodextrin" or "potato maltodextrin".

Yes, maltodextrin is considered gluten-free even when derived from wheat. The manufacturing process removes the gluten protein, making it safe for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Some research suggests that high consumption of maltodextrin can negatively affect gut bacteria and may be a risk factor for inflammatory bowel diseases in predisposed individuals, though more research is needed.

Athletes use maltodextrin to quickly replenish carbohydrate stores for energy during prolonged or intense exercise. Its rapid digestion provides a fast source of glucose for muscles without the overly sweet taste of simple sugars.

Alternatives to maltodextrin include natural thickeners and starches like tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, or cornstarch. For sweeteners, options include stevia, honey, or maple syrup.