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E1414Modified starchLow concern
Acetylated Distarch Phosphate
In plain words
The short version
A dual-modified starch — the most widely used modified starch in processed foods globally.
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. Like other modified starches, treated as a food carbohydrate. The modifying reagents are restricted to specified levels and residues must be below regulatory limits.
The detail
Manufactured by sequentially modifying native starch (typically maize, waxy maize, or tapioca): first cross-linking with phosphorus oxychloride or sodium trimetaphosphate to create the distarch-phosphate, then acetylating with acetic anhydride or vinyl acetate. The result combines freeze-thaw stability (from acetylation) with shear and acid resistance (from cross-linking).
The dominant modified starch in processed foods because of its versatility. Used in frozen ready meals (survives freeze-thaw cycles), instant and canned soups (resists prolonged heat), salad dressings (acid- and shear-stable), gravies, and infant foods. Provides creamy texture and prevents syneresis.
Off-white powder, similar in feel to native starch but with significantly improved stability and texture in processed-food applications. Stable across a wide pH and temperature range.
Permitted in the EU, at quantum satis in most foods where it is allowed, but with a maximum of 50 g/kg in processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children. Permitted in the US as food starch-modified, with limits on the treatment chemicals and on the finished starch (for example, acetyl groups not more than 2.5 percent).
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of oxidised starch (E 1404), … acetylated distarch phosphate (E 1414) … as food additives (2017) — European Food Safety Authority (ANS Panel), 2017. No safety concern; no numerical ADI needed
- WHO JECFA database — Acetylated distarch phosphate (INS 1414) — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2016. ADI not specified
- EU — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II (consolidated text of 18.08.2026) — Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. EU: quantum satis generally, 50 g/kg cap in processed cereal-based foods and baby foods
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 172.892 Food starch-modified (version of 2026-10-13) — Office of the Federal Register / US FDA, 2026. US: permitted as food starch-modified with reagent limits
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.