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E1412Modified starchLow concern
Distarch Phosphate
In plain words
The short version
Phosphate-cross-linked starch — heat-and-shear resistant for retort and acidic applications.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI not specified — considered safe. Dietary fate similar to native starch; phosphate from cross-links released only on enzymatic digestion.
The detail
Manufactured by cross-linking native starch with phosphorus oxychloride or sodium trimetaphosphate. The phosphate bridges link two starch chains, dramatically improving heat-and-shear resistance.
Used in canned soups, retort pouches, salad dressings, and infant cereals where the cross-linked starch must survive aggressive thermal processing without losing viscosity. Less acid-tolerant than acetylated forms (E1414) but cheaper.
Off-white powder, similar to native starch but with markedly improved process tolerance.
Permitted globally without restrictive limits.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel: Re-evaluation of oxidised starch (E 1404), ... distarch phosphate (E 1412) ... hydroxypropyl starch (E 1440) ... as food additives (2017) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2017. No safety concern; no numerical ADI needed
- WHO JECFA database: Distarch phosphate (INS 1412), 82nd meeting evaluation (2016) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2016. Made with sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride; ADI not specified
- 21 CFR 172.892: Food starch-modified — U.S. FDA / eCFR, 2001. US permission for starch cross-linked with phosphorus oxychloride or sodium trimetaphosphate, with treatment limits
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011: Union list of food additives (Annex II to Reg. 1333/2008), as adopted — European Union (text via legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives), 2011. EU authorisation, including infant cereals (50 g/kg)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.