Is Cornstarch Vegan? Find Out Here!

Is Cornstarch Vegan?

Cornstarch is a common ingredient found in most processed food items. However, there are some brands that claim that their cornstarch is vegan. Unfortunately, those claims are false. Cornstarch is made using genetic modification, which means that it comes from non-organic crops.

This means that cornstarch is not truly vegan. Even if it says “Vegetarian” or “Vegan,” it still isn’t true. There are no animal products involved in its creation, but it was created using GM technology.

While crossbreeding techniques have been used for millennia, modern GMOs involve far more complex processes. These new methods are being developed specifically to produce plants that are resistant to herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides.

Unfortunately, the results of these experiments are not always positive. Some of the unintended consequences include stunted growth, infertility, sterility, deformities, and death.

Genetically modified organisms are not inherently bad. But they should never be promoted as vegan simply because they were created without harming living beings.

What Is Cornstarch Used For?

Cornstarch is a natural food additive that is commonly used in cooking. It is added to sauces, gravies, soups, bread dough, batters, and salad dressings. It helps thicken liquids and gives them a smooth texture. It also adds a nice crunchy texture to baked goods.

Cornstarch is also used as an ingredient in many household items. You’ll find it in baby white powders, medical products made from rubber (like condoms, diaphragms, and medical gloves), and adhesives.

You may not realize it, but organic cornstarch is actually a very versatile ingredient. It’s great for making pancakes, muffins, waffles, cookies, cakes, pies, and pastries. It’s also used to make ice cream, candies, frosting, and candy bars.

Environmental Impact Of GMO Corn Starch

GMO cornstarch is produced by genetically modifying corn seeds to produce starch that resists heat during processing. This process makes it easier for food processors to extract the starch from the corn without damaging the grain.

Because of its high efficiency, less energy is required to convert corn into starch than if conventional methods were used. However, critics argue that the use of genetic modification techniques results in the production of foods containing ingredients that are harmful to human health and the environment.

Critics say that the use of GM cornstarch increases the risk of allergies and asthma in children. Some studies suggest that GM cornstarch might cause cancer or birth defects. Critics also claim that the use of GM technology harms the environment because it requires large amounts of water and pesticides to grow corn.

However, proponents argue that GM cornstarch helps reduce the environmental burden associated with growing corn. They point out that the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides reduces the amount of land needed to grow corn.

Furthermore, the use of GM corn allows farmers to plant more acres of corn than they otherwise could. Finally, they note that the use of GM technologies improves crop yields.

Is Cornstarch Gluten-Free?

Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free. However, if your brand uses another product that contains gluten, then it may be processed in a facility where gluten-containing products are handled.

That means that the cornstarch itself might still contain traces of gluten. You should look at the label of the cornstarch to determine whether or not it is gluten-free.

A list of gluten-free brands of cornstarch is listed below.

What Are Some Vegan And Gluten-Free Cornstarch Brands

As there can be some cross-contamination in the processing facilities we have verified 9 companies to have both vegan and gluten-free cornstarch. These companies are as follows:

• Anthony’s
• Argo
• Bob’s Red Mill
• Clabber Girl
• Earthborn Elements
• Hodgson Mill
• Pure
• Repunzel
• Rumford

Are Corn Flour And Corn Starch The Same?

Corn flour and cornstarch are very similar foods. Both come from corn, but they are processed differently. Corn flour is made from grinding whole corn kernels, whereas cornstarch is made by extracting the starch from corn pieces of kernels.

Because corn flour has protein, fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin C, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, folate, pantothenic acid, biotin, and dietary fiber, it is used in baking. On the other hand, cornstarch is mainly used as a thickening agent in sorts of sauces, gravies, soups, and desserts.

Both corn flour and cornstarch are gluten-free, but they have different properties. Corn flour is denser and heavier than cornstarch. You can add corn flour to recipes where you’d normally use cornstarch. However, if you substitute corn flour for cornstarch, you’ll notice that the finished product won’t rise as high as usual.

Because corn flour is denser than cornstarch, it doesn’t work well in recipes that call for cornstarch. Instead, try using cornstarch instead of corn flour in those recipes.

Is Cornstarch Good For Your Health?

Cornstarch is not bad for your health. However, if you eat a lot of processed instant food ingredients, then you may want to limit your intake of cornstarch. Cornstarch is used in highly processed and packaged products, including bread, cookies, pasta, pizza crust, sauces, snacks, and yogurt toppings.

These types of foods tend to have a high-calorie count and sodium content, which can lead to weight gain and bloating, two common problems associated with eating processed functional foods.

Processed foods also tend to have a high sugar content, which can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. You should try to avoid consuming processed foods whenever possible. Instead, opt for whole health foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, meats, fish, dairy, eggs, and healthy fats.

You may find yourself craving certain food products, especially after reading this article. Don’t worry! There are plenty of natural alternatives to cornstarch. Try using an arrowroot type of starch instead. Arrowroot is made from plant roots, making it a healthier alternative to cornstarch.

You can also replace cornstarch with tapioca flour, potato starch, or even ground flaxseeds.

How To Store Cornstarch?

You should keep cornstarch in a cool, dark location where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures. A cool, dry place is ideal. Also avoid storing cornstarch near any strong odors, since those may cause it to become rancid.

Avoid exposing cornstarch to excessive amounts of humidity, since that can lead to mold growth. Keep cornstarch away from extreme heat, since that can damage its structure.