Is pre-gelatinised starch suitable for vegetarians?
Q My question is: what is meant by the ingredient ‘pre-gelled’ or ‘pre-gelatinised’ starch, present in many TVP products? I would assume that as these products are marketed to vegetarians that they are ok, but it would be great to clarify this. A Starch is a carbohydrate found mainly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice. It varies widely in appearance according to the source but it is commonly prepared as a white tasteless powder. Modified starch is starch that has been treated physically or chemically to modify one or more of its key physical or chemical properties. Starches are modified for use in the food industry in order to make them easier to use, more stable in processing and to give a wider range of textures. Modified starches have functional properties that naturally occurring starches do not. For example, in puddings they provide instant thickening and creaminess. Pregelatinised starch, also known as pregelle
