Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

What Do You Think About Modified Food Starch And Modified Corn Starch? Is It Good, Bad Or Ugly?

laurericcharlie

Recommended Posts

laurericcharlie Newbie
laurericcharlie
Posted

I seem to get heartburn, when I drink certain flavors of gatorade that have modified food starch. Anyone know more about this, I just recently learned that grain distilled vinegar is alright (ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressings etc..., that has been a great relief!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

Gatorade is gluten-free, so it must be something else about it giving you the trouble. Citric acid maybe? Sugar? Corn syrup?

laurericcharlie Newbie
laurericcharlie
Posted
  • Author

So are you saying that mod. food starch is ok?

Gatorade is gluten-free, so it must be something else about it giving you the trouble. Citric acid maybe? Sugar? Corn syrup?
happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

Modified corn starch is always safe.

Modified Food Starch is safe if it doesn't list wheat after it. Wheat is required to be listed and not hidden by FDA law.

Gatorade is gluten free, so it probably is something else in it that is bothering you.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

"Modified" in this sense means partially processed. Nothing is added, but some of the chemical structure is broken down. Corn starch is gluten-free to begin with. If the source is wheat, it must be clearly disclosed under US law. I have never, ever, heard of rye or barley being used to make modified starch. In North America, modified food starch is usually corn, but could also be potato, rice or tapioca.

missnbagels Explorer
missnbagels
Posted

I have heard so many things about modified food starch. Help a newbie out. I AM SO CONFUSED ! Is it safe or what?

It is in everything so i really need to know if i can have it or not.

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted
Modified Food Starch is safe if it doesn't list wheat after it. Wheat is required to be listed and not hidden by FDA law.
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kbabe1968 Enthusiast
kbabe1968
Posted

I know US labelling laws say it must be labelled...BUT I have to say if it's modified FOOD starch - I ALWAYS get sick, but if it's Modified Corn Starch, I do okay. I wonder if there's another additive when they use MFS vs. MCS that makes the difference?

I do avoid MFS, but I'm not sure that I HAVE to...it's just something I've noticed for ME.

Of course, I never react to Gatorade....mine doesn't have MFS on the label...are you talking about a powdered version?

missnbagels Explorer
missnbagels
Posted

I know what you mean. I react to MFS but not to MCS. But also i am a little confused because sometimes i am fine with MFS products. Could i still be reacting to it and just not know it? That's why i ask about MFS because i have read on many websites that its fine and then i have also read that you need to check the background behind the company. That's why i need some advice Please.

  • 2 weeks later...
DonnaD777-777 Newbie
DonnaD777-777
Posted
I seem to get heartburn, when I drink certain flavors of gatorade that have modified food starch. Anyone know more about this, I just recently learned that grain distilled vinegar is alright (ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressings etc..., that has been a great relief!

I react heavily with grain distilled vinegar. I have had to switch to gluten free mustard, mayo, salad dressing, and anything that say vinegar on it unless it states applecider vinegar or balsamic vinegar. You might not react...but i am very, very sensitive to a mild does of gluten. I'm curious as to where you learned that?

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
I know US labelling laws say it must be labelled...BUT I have to say if it's modified FOOD starch - I ALWAYS get sick, but if it's Modified Corn Starch, I do okay. I wonder if there's another additive when they use MFS vs. MCS that makes the difference?

I do avoid MFS, but I'm not sure that I HAVE to...it's just something I've noticed for ME.

Of course, I never react to Gatorade....mine doesn't have MFS on the label...are you talking about a powdered version?

I know what you mean. I react to MFS but not to MCS. But also i am a little confused because sometimes i am fine with MFS products. Could i still be reacting to it and just not know it? That's why i ask about MFS because i have read on many websites that its fine and then i have also read that you need to check the background behind the company. That's why i need some advice Please.

Another thing you both might want to consider--you may be reacting to something else in a particular food. Some companies are better at preventing the risk of cross contamination than others. I know, for instance, I can use products from Kraft with no problems (so far, and it's been over 2 years)

Some of the smaller, more specialized companies seem to be actually more prone to cross contamination between lines or runs. Amy's comes to mind, but there are others--like Lay's, to name a larger company that people report problems with.

As you get into this, you will become aware of which companies/products give you problems and which don't. Unfortunately, there's no pat answer as to why we can react to one food over another--given that we're aware of the gluten status.

Some people (like me) find that we develop other food intolerances after going gluten-free. Things like sugar, and other additives can become problimatic to our healing system.

MFS has to be labelled as such if it is from wheat :)

Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted
I seem to get heartburn, when I drink certain flavors of gatorade that have modified food starch. Anyone know more about this, I just recently learned that grain distilled vinegar is alright (ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressings etc..., that has been a great relief!

Is there any possibility that the flavors that bother you happen to have more acidity than the others?

The best I can suggest is that you keep track of which products make you react (if you do react). While the labeling laws are very clear, it seems as though some ingredients at the bottom of the chain might come from suppliers outside the US, and there might be mix-ups, translation confusion, etc.

I have found this to be especially true at Dollar Stores, where there are many foreign-made food products, including occasional "copycat" products that have phony labeling and packaging to mimic well-known brand names, such as Colgate toothpaste. I also still see the occasional product at the Asian store that does not have the required labeling.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,159
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Ladymichele53
    Newest Member
    Ladymichele53
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.2k
    • Total Posts
      71.5k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Dora77
      Energy drink can has stains - potential gluten?

      By Dora77 · Posted

      It wasnt really eye catching, but they were small stains which looked like dried out liquid. I dont know if it was normal or shouldve been just completely clean. But if someone didnt pay attention, it wouldnt be noticeable.
    • RMJ
      Energy drink can has stains - potential gluten?

      By RMJ · Posted

      If there were stains or particles on a drink can in an area that would either contact the drink or my lips, I would wash that can whether or not I had celiac disease.
    • Bebygirl01
      Not Just Wheat, Barley and Rye Glutens that make us sick

      By Bebygirl01 · Posted

      You are on the money, but I should also add that Italian, French and other countries research shows exactly what I have said. Our FDA is behind the ball when it comes to this research and I am hopeful that Kennedy can straighten this out soon, albeit he is giving the food companies too long to just remove food dyes from our foods when in fact they have to remove all that in order to sell for example, in the UK as they aren't allowed such things. The food companies and the cola companies have also changed their formulas to have just sugar in them instead of corn gluten aka high fructose corn syrup and corn starch in them. Misinformation here in America is a very dangerous thing. I also have been grain free for a long time now and at no time can I even have the smallest amount of corn gluten -I recently got glutened from a supplement that claimed to be grain free yet upon further research I found that it had erythritol (corn sugar) in it and that is what got me sick for 7 days straight. I am not hopeful to ever be able to add back into my diet any of the grain glutens, but perhaps those who were only gluten intolerant might be able to, but for me being celiac, I have no hope in that. Thank you for the article, I will add it to my collection of research as I am collecting everything I can find on this subject and posting it on X as well as other places.  I also don't use psuedo grains i.e. quinoa as that also reacts negatively with my gut, so I am 100% a cassava/tapioca/arrow root girl and that is my go to bread replacement. There are some new items made with chicpea/green peas that are sold as rice alternatives, i bought one to try but haven't yet. So food companies are getting creative, but like you said, I am fresh whole foods and don't buy many processed foods, I make my own cheese, ketchup, pickles, jams, etc.
    • Dora77
      Energy drink can has stains - potential gluten?

      By Dora77 · Posted

      There were small spots (stains) on the drinking area at the top of the energy drinks can from the store that looked as the same color as milk — maybe oat milk (Hafermilch) or a wheat-based drink (Weizendrink), but I’m not sure what it was. There were also some particles that looked like either flour or dust, but not many. Could it have been a gluten-containing drink spilled onto the can or just regular small stains which I shouldn‘t worry about? Do you watch out for stuff like that or am I overthinking? Would it cause damage to a celiac?
    • Scott Adams
      Not Just Wheat, Barley and Rye Glutens that make us sick

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is such an important discussion! While corn gluten (zein) is structurally different from wheat gluten, emerging research suggests some celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals may still react to it, whether due to cross-reactivity, inflammation, or other factors. For those with non-responsive celiac disease or ongoing symptoms, eliminating corn—especially processed derivatives like corn syrup—might be worth exploring under medical guidance. That said, corn’s broader health impact (GMOs, digestibility, nutritional profile) is a separate but valid concern. Like you mentioned, ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘healthy,’ and whole, unprocessed foods are often the safest bet. For those sensitive to corn, alternatives like quinoa, rice, or nutrient-dense starches (e.g., sweet potatoes) can help fill the gap. Always fascinating (and frustrating) how individualized this journey is—thanks for highlighting these nuances! Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful:    
×
×
  • Create New...