About
Corn grits are coarsely ground particles prepared from fully mature, degermed kernels of common maize (Zea mays L.) through a milling process that removes the bran and germ, yielding a shelf-stable cereal product. They are widely used as a staple food ingredient in porridges, breakfast cereals, snack foods, brewing adjuncts, and polenta-style dishes across many cultures.
Safety summary
Corn grits are a conventional whole-grain-derived cereal product with no established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), as they are not a food additive and carry a broad international safety consensus across the FDA, FSSAI, and Codex Alimentarius. They are naturally gluten-free, but commercially produced grits are frequently milled in shared facilities and may be cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains, posing a risk to individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Their moderate-to-high glycemic index resulting from degerming warrants moderation for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Standards for Degermed Maize (Corn) Flour and Maize (Corn) Grits are prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.4 (Cereals and Cereal Products); specific compositional standards formalised via 2017 amendment notification. Product must meet moisture, ash, and contaminant limits per FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.source |
| JECFA (JECFA (FAO/WHO)) | Approved | Standard CXS 155-1985 (adopted 1985, revised 1995, amended 2019 and 2023) covers Degermed Maize (Corn) Meal and Maize (Corn) Grits for direct human consumption from Zea mays L. Product must be safe for human consumption, free from abnormal flavours, odours, living insects, and heavy metals in hazardous amounts. Maximum moisture content of 15% is specified. No food additives are authorised within the standard itself. Note: 'UN' is used as a placeholder for this international standard body, which is not country-specific.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Regulated as a standardized cereal grain food under 21 CFR 137.260 (Corn Grits). Corn grits is a conventional food, not a food additive; no ADI or maximum daily intake applies. Must conform to identity standards for moisture, fat, and fiber content.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 137, Subpart B, Section 137.260 — Corn Grits. ecfr.gov
- 2FSSAI. FSSAI Food Product Standards — Chapter 2.4: Cereals and Cereal Products (Version 4, May 2025), 2025. fssai.gov.in
- 3FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2017 — Draft Notification: Degermed Maize (Corn) Flour and Maize (Corn) Grits, 2017. fssai.gov.in
- 4other. Standard for Degermed Maize (Corn) Meal and Maize (Corn) Grits (CXS 155-1985), 1985. fao.org
- 5other. Codex Standard for Maize (Corn) — CXS 153-1985, 1985. fao.org
