Corn Grits | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

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

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

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

What food-safety regulators have decided.

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

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Gluten Intolerance — Although corn grits are inherently gluten-free, they are frequently processed in facilities handling wheat and other gluten-containing grains, creating a meaningful cross-contamination risk for individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity; only certified gluten-free labelled products should be consumed.

Diabetes — Degermed corn grits have a moderate-to-high glycemic index due to the removal of the bran and germ during processing; individuals with diabetes or impaired insulin sensitivity should exercise portion control and prefer whole-grain or enriched varieties.

Ibs — Corn-based products can act as a fermentable carbohydrate trigger for gastrointestinal discomfort in a subset of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, and tolerance varies considerably among affected individuals.

Infants — Corn grits are not nutritionally adequate as a sole or primary weaning food for infants; introduction should be guided by a paediatrician to ensure adequate protein, micronutrient, and fat intake alongside complementary feeding.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

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

Independently researched5 citations