Enriched Wheat Flour Niacin
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What it is
Enriched wheat flour is refined wheat flour that has specific nutrients added back after processing. The enrichment process typically adds back B vitamins like niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid, as well as iron. This is done to restore nutrients lost during the milling of the wheat grain.
Why it's used
Manufacturers use enriched wheat flour as a base ingredient in a wide variety of baked goods and other processed foods. It provides structure and texture to products like breads, cakes, cookies, and pasta. The added nutrients also contribute to the overall nutritional profile of the food.
Health notes
Enriched wheat flour is a common ingredient in the US food supply and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The added nutrients, including niacin, are essential for human health. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated B vitamins and found them to be safe and necessary for bodily functions when consumed within normal dietary ranges. There is no widespread controversy regarding the health effects of consuming enriched wheat flour at typical intake levels.
Allergen info
Enriched wheat flour is derived from wheat, which is one of the 9 FDA major allergens. It also contains gluten.