Distarch phosphate
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0.00
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Description
The food additive E1412, known as Distarch phosphate, is a chemically modified starch used primarily as a thickener, stabilizer, and texturizing agent in the food industry. It belongs to the category of modified starches, which are derived from natural starch (corn, potato, wheat, tapioca, etc.) treated with chemical agents to improve their functional properties.
E1412 is obtained by reacting natural starch with phosphoric acid or phosphate salts (such as sodium tripolyphosphate) under controlled temperature and pH conditions. This process introduces phosphate cross-links between amylose and amylopectin chains, giving the starch greater resistance to degradation by heat, acids, and mechanical shear. The final product is dried and ground into a fine white or slightly yellowish powder.
Distarch phosphate is a powder insoluble in cold water, but it swells and forms viscous gels when heated in the presence of water. Its viscosity is stable over a wide pH range (3-9) and withstands freeze-thaw cycles, making it ideal for processed products. It has no appreciable taste or odor.
Regarding its function in foods, it acts as a thickener, emulsion stabilizer, water retention agent, and texturizer. It is used to give body to sauces, soups, dairy desserts, pastry fillings, processed meat products, and infant foods.
The use of modified starches in foods dates back to the mid-20th century. E1412 was authorized in the European Union following Directive 95/2/EC on food additives, and is currently regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, which establishes conditions of use and maximum limits for each food category.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated E1412 on several occasions, most recently in 2017 (EFSA Journal 2017;15(10):5045). EFSA concluded that there are no safety concerns at authorized use levels, establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of "not specified" (not limited), indicating that no adverse effects have been identified at typical consumption levels. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has also evaluated E1412, assigning an ADI "not limited" (JECFA, 2001).
Additionally, it is considered safe for the general population, including children and adults, when consumed within authorized limits. No significant toxic, carcinogenic, or genotoxic effects have been documented in animal studies. However, as with all modified starches, excessive consumption could have laxative effects due to intestinal fermentation, but this is not specific to E1412.
In the European Union, E1412 must be declared in the ingredient list by its name or E number. It may appear as "Distarch phosphate" or "E1412". There are no specific mandatory warnings for this additive.
E1412 is used in a wide variety of processed foods as a thickener, stabilizer, and texturizer. According to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, it is authorized in numerous categories with limits varying by product. For example, in sauces and condiments (up to 50 g/kg), soups and broths (up to 50 g/kg), dairy desserts (up to 30 g/kg), fine bakery products (up to 20 g/kg), processed meat products (up to 10 g/kg), and infant foods (up to 50 g/kg, with additional restrictions).
In the Spanish market, it is commonly found in commercial sauces (such as fried tomato or béchamel), custards, flans, ice creams, sausages, pâtés, and industrial pastries. It is also used in frozen foods to prevent syneresis (water separation) and improve texture after thawing. Compared to the US FDA, E1412 is classified as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) and its use is not limited in most foods, although good manufacturing practices are recommended. Japan also permits it as a food additive with limits similar to European ones.
Toxicological studies conducted by EFSA and JECFA have not identified significant adverse effects associated with the consumption of E1412 at authorized doses. EFSA, in its 2017 evaluation, reviewed oral toxicity studies in rats and mice that showed no adverse effects even at high doses (up to 5000 mg/kg body weight per day). No carcinogenic, genotoxic, or teratogenic effects have been observed.
The biological mechanism of E1412 is similar to other modified starches: as a glucose polymer with cross-links, it is partially digested in the small intestine and the remainder ferments in the colon, producing short-chain fatty acids. In individuals with intestinal sensitivity, excessive consumption could cause digestive discomfort such as gas or diarrhea, but this is not specific to E1412 and occurs with any dietary fiber. No interactions with medications have been described. Sensitive populations such as celiacs can consume it without problem, as it does not contain gluten.
The conclusion of EFSA and WHO is that E1412 is safe under authorized conditions of use, without the need to establish a numerical ADI.
- Distarch phosphate
- Phosphated starch
- Phosphate-modified starch
- Distarch phosphate
- INS 1412
- Starch cross-linked with sodium trimetaphosphate
- Starch cross-linked with phosphorus oxychloride
- Modified starch E-1412
- Distarch ester
- Phosphate cross-linked starch
- Food-grade distarch phosphate
- Modified corn starch (E-1412)
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