E1412 / Other additives
Distarch phosphate
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Distarch phosphate is a cross-linked modified starch made by treating starch (corn, potato, or tapioca) with phosphoric acid so its granules resist breaking down under heat, acid, or freezing. It is widely used to thicken and stabilize sauces, soups, and gravies, keeping a consistent texture through cooking, freezing, and reheating. It has a long safety record as a food additive.
Also appears on labels as: Distarch phosphate, Phosphated starch, Phosphated distarch, Cross-linked starch phosphate, Modified starch phosphate, INS 1410, INS 1412, E1410, E 1410, E-1410, E1412, E 1412.
What is E1412, and what does it do in food?
E1412 is distarch phosphate. The WHO/JECFA record also identifies it as INS 1412 and lists thickener and stabiliser as its food functions. In plain language, those functions concern the texture and consistency of food.
Match the exact code on the ingredient list. E1412 (distarch phosphate), E1410 (monostarch phosphate) and E1413 (phosphated distarch phosphate) are listed with different names in the FSA guide. A similar starch name is not the same ingredient identity.
See how EatMatrix reads an ingredient list before trying the app. Compare a scan with the physical label.
Identity and food-use sources checked . The E number alone does not tell you the amount in a product. Wider scientific and market checks are described below.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- No
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Selected research on E1412
How to read study types- Regulator reviewEFSA re-evaluation of modified starches
No safety concern at reported uses and no need for a numerical daily limit. Rats fed very large amounts showed no effects relevant to people.
Summaries of each source's published abstract or statement, checked . This is a selection of sources, not a complete literature review. Authority assessments apply to the uses and places they cover.
Primary assessment and follow-up for E1412
E1412 is one of the 12 modified starches named in the EFSA assessment below. It is a review of a group of food additives, rather than a new clinical trial of this ingredient.
- EFSA assessment of 12 modified starches
Published ; amended . The publisher describes the amendment as editorial and provides the updated version. This source covers E1412 by name.
- European Commission follow-up data call for modified starches
Published ; listed as closed when checked on October 4, 2026. The call names E1412 among 11 starches. A request for scientific and technical data is not a new study, safety verdict or ban.
Source identities, dates, the amendment note and stated scope checked October 4, 2026. A complete review of the newest relevant studies, current country permissions and ingredient-specific risks remains pending. These links do not change the recorded EatMatrix rating or validate the other database notes.
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels by EFSA and FDA; modified starches are among the most thoroughly reviewed food additives.
- Large amounts of any modified starch/fiber can occasionally cause mild bloating or digestive discomfort.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- 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 — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2017). Official EFSA scientific opinion (bibliographic reference, imported 2026-10-13). It covers the additive as a group assessment and is not an individual human study; read the opinion for its findings.
Country rules
Country checks for E1412
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E1412: Distarch phosphate. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E1412 (Distarch phosphate) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Modified-starch manufacturing route needs matching Canada regulates the starch-modifying agents used to make modified starch. Its government assessment explains that modified starch, including oxidized starch, may be used as a food ingredient when made using permitted starch-modifying agents. This E-number identifies a finished modified starch, not an exact reagent row in that list. EatMatrix reading: Obtain the botanical source, complete modification process, every reagent and residue specification. Match those to List 13; a permitted reagent alone does not confirm this finished starch or every manufacturing route. The ingredient naming document also requires the plant name for modified starch. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Distarch phosphate. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names.
The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Selected research
- 1 source summaries, with publication dates and study types. Several publications may describe the same study population.
- Original ingredient record
- 1 research link; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E1412?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E1412 (Distarch phosphate) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E1412 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Distarch phosphate — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: no, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E1412 and why is it used?
Distarch phosphate is a cross-linked modified starch made by treating starch (corn, potato, or tapioca) with phosphoric acid so its granules resist breaking down under heat, acid, or freezing. It is widely used to thicken and stabilize sauces, soups, and gravies, keeping a consistent texture through cooking, freezing, and reheating. It has a long safety record as a food additive.
Does E1412 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Distarch phosphate.
Is INS 1412 the same ingredient as E1412?
Both identify distarch phosphate. The WHO/JECFA record uses INS 1412 and the FSA E-number guide lists E1412 as distarch phosphate. Match the number and name on the actual ingredient list.
Why is E1412 used in food?
WHO/JECFA lists distarch phosphate as a thickener and stabiliser. These are food texture and consistency functions; the code alone does not tell you its quantity in a product or its effect on your body.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.