About
Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (E1442) is a dual-modified food starch produced by treating native starch with propylene oxide (hydroxypropylation) and a phosphate cross-linking agent, yielding a product with improved viscosity, freeze-thaw stability, and resistance to heat and shear. It is used commercially as a thickener, stabiliser, binder, and emulsifier across a wide range of processed foods.
Safety summary
Both JECFA (evaluated at the 26th, 82nd, and 86th meetings) and EFSA (2017 re-evaluation) have assigned an ADI of 'not specified,' indicating no safety concern for the general population at current use levels; carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice showed no evidence of carcinogenic activity, and in silico analyses found no genotoxic concern. However, EFSA flagged that EU specifications permit low-level heavy metal impurities (arsenic up to 1 mg/kg, lead up to 2 mg/kg, mercury up to 0.1 mg/kg) that could materially add to dietary metal exposure already near health-based guidance values for high consumers. Unresolved data gaps for use in foods intended for infants and young children under special medical purposes prompted a 2024 European Commission call for additional toxicological data, meaning that safety for this sub-population remains under active review.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II and III; ADI 'not specified' confirmed by EFSA ANS Panel (2017) and JECFA; 2024 European Commission call for data issued to address incomplete specifications and toxicological data gaps specifically for food category 13.1.5.2 (dietary foods for infants and young children for special medical purposes as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC); additive not expected to pose immediate safety concern and is not subject to imminent removal from the Union list pending data submission.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Permitted as food starch-modified under 21 CFR 172.892 for direct food use as a thickener and texturising agent; also listed as an indirect food additive under 21 CFR parts 175–178; not intended for use as an ingredient in infant formula per FDA GRAS Notice GN 663.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1WHO. JECFA Food Additives and Contaminants Database: Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate (INS 1442). apps.who.int
- 2other. JECFA Monograph 16: Modified Starches — Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate (INS 1442). fao.org
- 3FDA. GRAS Notice GN 663 — Distarch Phosphate Modified Food Starch. fda.gov
- 4other. European Commission Call for Scientific and Technical Data on Permitted Food Additives Including E1442 (March 2024), 2024. food.ec.europa.eu
- 5EFSA. Re-evaluation of oxidised starch (E 1404), monostarch phosphate (E 1410), distarch phosphate (E 1412), phosphated distarch phosphate (E 1413), acetylated distarch phosphate (E 1414), acetylated starch (E 1420), acetylated distarch adipate (E 1422), hydroxypropyl starch (E 1440), hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (E 1442), starch sodium octenyl succinate (E 1450), acetylated oxidised starch (E 1451) and starch aluminium octenyl succinate (E 1452) as food additives, 2017. efsa.europa.eu
