Gingerbread Cookies: Enriched Wheat Flour

Enriched wheat flour is refined wheat flour that has had certain vitamins and minerals added back after processing. These nutrients typically include iron and B vitamins like folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. It is a key ingredient in many baked goods and is made from wheat grains.

Manufacturers use enriched wheat flour as a primary structural ingredient in baked goods, providing bulk and texture. Its neutral flavor and ability to form gluten make it ideal for products like breads, cakes, cookies, and pasta. It is a staple in the production of cookies and biscuits.

Enriched wheat flour is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. The added nutrients can help prevent deficiencies in the general population. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated flour and its enrichment, and EFSA has also evaluated related substances. Evidence does not suggest adverse health effects from typical consumption of enriched wheat flour.