About
Corn flour is a fine powder milled from dried maize (Zea mays) kernels, available in whole-grain and refined forms. It is a global staple food ingredient used in baking, tortillas, porridges, flatbreads, and as a thickening agent in cooking.
Safety summary
Corn flour is universally recognized as safe by major regulatory bodies including the US FDA, India's FSSAI, and under EU general food law, with no established acceptable daily intake (ADI) restriction. Refined corn flour carries a high glycemic index and has been associated with less favorable metabolic outcomes in individuals with metabolic disorders, while whole-grain forms rich in corn bran are linked to beneficial effects on blood lipids and glycemic control. Aflatoxin B1 contamination from improperly stored maize is a recognized food safety hazard, with case-control evidence linking high corn flour intake in contaminated regions to increased risk of esophageal precancerous lesions.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Corn (maize) flour is a permitted cereal food ingredient under EU general food law; whole grain definitions for maize are addressed in EU Regulation No 1308/2013. No E-number or specific ADI assigned as corn flour is a primary food ingredient, not a food additive.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Corn flour (also referred to as Cornflour/Maize starch) is explicitly listed and regulated as a cereal product under Chapter 2.4 (Cereals and Cereal Products) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Standards govern moisture content, purity, and permissible additives.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Corn flour is a recognized staple food ingredient; FDA specifically regulates corn masa flour for mandatory folic acid fortification under 21 CFR Part 137. No ADI applies as it is a whole food, not a chemical additive.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. Corn Masa Flour (Fortifying Corn Masa Flour Products with Folic Acid) — Food Additives & Petitions. fda.gov
- 2WHO. Fortification of Maize Flour and Corn Meal with Vitamins and Minerals — WHO Guideline Executive Summary. who.int
- 3PubMed. Effects of Corn Flour Consumption on Human Health across the Lifespan: A Scoping Review, 2025. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Corn Flour Intake, Aflatoxin B1 Exposure, and Risk of Esophageal Precancerous Lesions in a High-Risk Area of Huai'an, China: A Case-Control Study, 2020. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FSSAI. Chapter 2.4: Cereals and Cereal Products — Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, 2011. fssai.gov.in
