What is E1420?
Starch acetate (E1420) is a modified starch used for texture and stability in specified foods. Goodnessly rates it Caution as a prompt to notice modified starches and the wider formulation.
E1420 is starch acetate, a modified starch that can thicken, stabilise or support texture in permitted formulations.
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What is Starch acetate?
Starch acetate is made by modifying starch with acetyl groups. The modification changes how the starch behaves during processing and storage.
What's it used for?
- Thickening foods
- Stabilising texture
- Supporting emulsions
- Improving processing performance in selected foods
Where you'll find E1420 on the shelf
It is most relevant to sauces, soups, desserts, bakery foods and other products using modified starch for texture.
Is E1420 permitted? What the regulators say
Starch acetate is authorised or permitted in the three systems checked, with category, purity and use conditions.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists starch acetate as additive 1420; Schedule 15 food-category permissions and conditions apply. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | The EU Union list includes E1420 acetylated starch for specified uses, with specifications under Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted for specified uses | FDA 21 CFR 172.892 covers food starch-modified, including starch esterified with acetic anhydride, under the section’s identity and use conditions. |
Goodnessly rates E1420 Caution to encourage label and formulation awareness. This is not a claim that permitted modified-starch use is harmful.
- FSANZ Food Standards Code, August 2026 compilation, Schedule 15 and additive 1420.
- EUR-Lex Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 cover E1420 and specifications.
- FDA 21 CFR 172.892 covers food starch-modified, including starch acetate.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People who prefer to understand modified starches
- People comparing thickened and stabilised foods
- People checking the overall formulation
Goodnessly rates E1420 Caution as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Starch acetate
- 1420 or E1420
- Acetylated starch
- Modified starch
The label may show starch acetate, acetylated starch, modified starch or E1420/1420.
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Frequently asked questions
What is E1420?
E1420 is starch acetate, a modified starch used for permitted technical functions.
Is E1420 permitted?
E1420 is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand, the EU and the US. The food category and use conditions still matter.
Why is starch acetate rated Caution?
Goodnessly uses Caution as a label-reading prompt to notice modified starches and the wider formulation.
How does Goodnessly rate E1420?
Goodnessly rates E1420 (starch acetate) as Caution.
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