Pretzel Ingredients: Enriched Wheat Flour

Enriched wheat flour is wheat flour that has had certain nutrients added back after being removed during processing. These typically include iron and B vitamins like folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. The enrichment process aims to restore some of the nutritional value lost when the wheat grain's bran and germ are removed to produce white flour.

Manufacturers use enriched wheat flour as a primary ingredient in many baked goods, such as breads, cakes, cookies, and pastries, as well as in pasta and cereals. It provides structure and texture to these foods. The enrichment helps improve the nutritional profile of common staple foods.

Enriched wheat flour is a widely consumed food ingredient and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The enrichment with folic acid has been particularly effective in reducing neural tube defects in infants. As a basic food ingredient, it is not typically evaluated by bodies like JECFA or EFSA in the same way food additives are. There are no notable controversies regarding enriched wheat flour itself, though dietary guidelines often recommend choosing whole grains over refined grains when possible.