Cookie: Enriched Wheat Flour

Enriched wheat flour is refined wheat flour that has had certain vitamins and minerals added back after processing. These nutrients, such as iron and B vitamins (folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin), are often lost during the milling process. It is a staple ingredient in many baked goods.

Enriched wheat flour is primarily used as a structural ingredient in baked goods like cookies, cakes, bread, and pasta. It provides the base for these products, giving them texture and body. Manufacturers use it because it is widely available, cost-effective, and familiar to consumers.

Enriched wheat flour is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. The added vitamins and minerals can help prevent deficiencies in the population. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated it. While it is a source of carbohydrates, typical consumption as part of a balanced diet is not associated with adverse health effects.