Food additives Europe numbers: E1443
You've provided excellent information about Hydroxypropyl distarch glycerol (HPDG) as a food excipient! Here's a summary of its key points:
- Function: HPDG is a multi-functional food excipient that acts as a:
- Thickener: Increases viscosity of liquids for thicker consistency in sauces, gravies, and desserts.
- Stabilizer: Prevents ingredient separation and maintains texture, especially in frozen foods or baked goods.
- Film Former: Creates an edible film for coating or glazing candies and confections.
- Moisture Retainer: Helps foods retain moisture and prevents drying out.
- Safety: Considered safe for consumption in moderate amounts with no reported toxicity or adverse effects [1]. Regulatory bodies like JECFA deem it safe within specified limits [2].
- Regulation: Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA [3] and permitted for various food categories under good manufacturing practices (GMP) by Codex Alimentarius [4].
- Applications: HPDG finds use in a wide variety of food products due to its versatility:
- Bakery fillings and icings
- Sauces, soups, and gravies
- Frozen foods
- Candy and confectionery coatings
- Instant beverages and powdered mixes
- Low-fat and fat-reduced products (helps maintain texture and mouthfeel)