Maltodextrin

[Colleen.C]

Hi all..I am finding maltodextrin in a lot of foods and confused about whether it's safe or not. Some labels are clear and state that the maltodextrin is maize derived but others don't. My dietitian gave me some sachets of dietary supplement because I'm still losing weight. I was a good girl and read the label because I trust no one anymore. The supplement contains maltodextrin so I was reluctant to try it.

Is it maltodextrin safe or not please?

[happygirl]

Maltodextrin in food products is usually made from corn/"maize." However, food labeling laws don't require it to list if it is from corn (which is why you don't always see the source).

However, anything made from wheat IS required to be disclosed. If it is made from wheat, you would see, "wheat maltodextrin" or "maltodextrin (wheat)"

If you have any questions on any products, call the company.

[psawyer]

Colleen, I see from another post that you are in New Zealand. I don't know what the laws are there.

The relevant US code says:

USA Code of Federal Regulations

Sec. 184.1444 Maltodextrin

CAS Reg. No. 9050-36-6. It is a nonsweet nutritive saccharide polymer that consists of D-glucose units linked primarily by [alpha]-1-4 bonds and has a dextrose equivalent (DE) of less than 20. It is prepared as a white powder or concentrated solution by partial hydrolysis of cornstarch, potato starch or rice starch with safe and suitable acids and enzymes.

Note: FDA also permits the use of other starches including wheat. For example, if wheat is used it must be labeled "wheat maltodextrin".

I have never heard of rye or barley being used to make maltodextrin. Here in North America, maltodextrin is almost invariably from corn.

[Takala]

Welcome to the "They Told Me It Was Safe But I'm Suspicious Club."

When I first started this routine 5 years ago, I read it wasn't safe.

Then I read it was safe.

Then I read it wasn't safe.

Then I read it was safe, IF it was made in the US.

Then I read a textbook of manufacturing terms used in food science, which I have misplaced but it's probably in the same room with me, and decided, no, I'm not eating this anymore because actually no body seems to know what the stuff is made of, really. They, btw, said it could be made from wheat or barley, but usually isn't.

I got sick of looking at labels and trying to use my extra ordinary powers of x ray vision to study it a the molecular level and figure out what it was and where it came from.

Now I'm reading that because of corn being used in ethanol, other grains might be used instead for a lot of things.

If I were a lemming I'd just as soon jump off the cliff now. But being human, I soldier on.

I tend to try to avoid it just out of habit from the first time I looked it up, and because the things it's in also tend to have other things I don't eat, anyway, it makes it easier.

Olive oil is nice and fattening if you want to gain weight. So is coconut oil and coconut macaroons and flours. There's always something fattening to eat that works. Somebody went and posted this recipe for rice and coconut flour biscuits in the baking section recently, I think, I just read the recipe without trying it and gained 2 pounds. Watch out for when you get the hang of this.

[Colleen.C]

Thankyou for your comments! I did ring the company and it is safe.

LOL at Takala. The dietician.. being a health conscious person of course..told me to eat lots of fruit because it contains more calories than veges, so that's a good excuse for eating lots of fruity puddings LOL