<<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.