<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

STARCH and MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
 We should investigate every label that has Modified Food Starch and/or
pregelatinized food starch. Since the starch can come from a toxic
grain, celiacs should be very careful about the starches they eat.  In
the U.S., the word "starch" on a food label indicates corn starch, which
is safe for celiacs.

 FDA regulations are cited on the Web at
http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/cpgfod/cpg578-100.html and
Sec. 578.100 Starches - Common or Usual Names (CPG 7104.01).   Modified
food starches are subject to the Food Additives Amendment and
regulations have been promulgated for "food starch - modified."   For
purposes of labeling in accordance with Section 403(i) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and Section 4(a)(1) of the Fair Packaging
and Labeling Act, the term "starch" is considered the common or usual
name for starch made from corn; alternatively, the name "cornstarch" may
be used.  (As we reported in the first paragraph.)

  *  Starches from other sources should be designated by some non-
misleading term that indicates the source of   such starch, for example,
"potato starch," "wheat starch," or "tapioca starch."

 *  A regulation has been promulgated to prescribe safe conditions of
use for "food starch-modified" (21 CFR   172.892). This regulation
requires that the label shall bear the name of the additive "food starch-
modified."   This name should be used to designate this additive on
labels of fabricated foods in which it is used as an ingredient.
Issued: 10/1/80

 The last two bulleted paragraphs seem to contradict themselves.  Naming
the specific kind of starch on labels does not seem to be in general
use, unfortunately.

   Investigate all sources of modified food starch.