Cheez-it White Cheddar - Enriched Flour

Enriched flour is a type of flour, most commonly wheat flour, that has had certain nutrients added back into it after processing. During the milling process that creates white flour, some vitamins and minerals are removed. Enrichment restores these lost nutrients, including iron and B vitamins like folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin.

Manufacturers add enriched flour to many baked goods and processed foods to provide structure and texture. It is a primary ingredient in products such as breads, pasta, crackers, cookies, and cereals. The enrichment process helps to improve the nutritional profile of these foods.

Enriched flour is a widely used food ingredient and not a food additive in the same regulatory sense. The FDA regulates the enrichment of flour, requiring the addition of specific nutrients to help prevent deficiencies. For example, folic acid enrichment has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. There are no major health controversies specifically related to the enrichment process itself, though some dietary guidelines encourage consumption of whole grains over refined grains.