What is E1440?
Hydroxypropyl starch (E1440) is a modified starch used to thicken, stabilise and manage texture in specified foods. Goodnessly rates E1440 Safe, while food-category permissions and the relevant regulator assessment still apply.
Hydroxypropyl starch (E1440) is a modified starch used to thicken, stabilise and manage texture in specified foods. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Hydroxypropyl starch?
Hydroxypropyl starch is starch modified with hydroxypropyl groups to change how it behaves during processing and storage. It is used for texture and stability.
What's it used for?
- Thickening and stabilising foods
- Supporting texture during processing
- Helping manage freeze-thaw or storage performance
- Providing body in selected formulations
Where you'll find E1440 on the shelf
You may see E1440 in sauces, soups, desserts, bakery products and other foods where a modified starch helps deliver a consistent texture.
Is E1440 permitted? What the regulators say
E1440 is listed or permitted in the three systems checked, with category, level and specification conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists 1440 hydroxypropyl starch and Schedule 15 conditions apply by food category. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The Union list includes E1440 hydroxypropyl starch for specified food categories and preparation uses under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and Annex III. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA’s food-starch regulations provide for modified food starches under specified conditions of identity, purity and use. |
Goodnessly rates E1440 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- Hydroxypropyl starch was included in European Commission data-call material for modified starches, including E1440. That is a request for evidence supporting re-evaluation, not a finding that current authorisation has ended.
- JECFA’s modified-starches group has an ADI not specified. Its specification includes limits for hydroxypropyl groups and propylene chlorohydrins. Food-category permissions remain important.
- An ADI or “not specified” conclusion is a population risk-assessment reference, not a statement that a particular food is unsafe.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing starch thickeners
- People checking texture ingredients across products
- People who want to consider the whole formulation
Goodnessly rates E1440 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Hydroxypropyl starch
- 1440 or E1440
- Modified starch
- Thickener (1440)
- Stabiliser (1440)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E1440?
E1440 is hydroxypropyl starch, a modified starch used for thickening, stabilising and texture control.
Is E1440 permitted?
E1440 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. US food-starch rules also provide for specified modified-starch uses.
Does E1440 have an ADI?
JECFA’s modified-starches group has an ADI not specified for the specified uses.
How does Goodnessly rate E1440?
Goodnessly rates E1440 (hydroxypropyl starch) as Safe within its rating system.
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