INS 1412 is distarch phosphate, a modified corn or tapioca starch used as a thickener and stabiliser in foods that need to survive heat, freezing, or long shelf life. It thickens fillings without going watery on the second day. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories.
INS 1412 is distarch phosphate, a modified corn or tapioca starch used as a thickener and stabiliser in foods that need to survive heat, freezing, or long shelf life. It thickens fillings without going watery on the second day.
Brands use it because plain starch breaks down when a product is cooked, frozen, or stored for weeks. The cross-links in distarch phosphate hold the texture: pie fillings stay set, instant kheer mixes thicken evenly, and frozen sauces do not weep when thawed.
INS 1412 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:
Distarch phosphate is made from plant starches (corn, tapioca, potato) cross-linked with phosphate. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 as a thickener and stabiliser for specified food categories with category-specific limits.
JECFA: Group ADI 'not specified' for modified starches as a class. 'Not specified' is JECFA's safest classification. EFSA's 2017 re-evaluation reached the same conclusion at reported use levels.
On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 1412 is also called:
Last verified: 2026-04-30.