Pretzels Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour Flour

Unbleached enriched wheat flour is a finely ground powder made from wheat grains. 'Unbleached' means it has not been treated with chemical bleaching agents, and 'enriched' means certain nutrients lost during processing, such as B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid) and iron, have been added back.

Manufacturers use unbleached enriched wheat flour as a primary ingredient in many baked goods, including bread, cakes, cookies, and, as in the example, pretzels. It provides structure and texture to these foods and serves as a source of carbohydrates.

Wheat flour is a common food ingredient and not regulated as an additive. The enrichment of flour with iron and B vitamins is a public health measure in the US to prevent nutrient deficiencies. As a food, it is generally recognized as safe when consumed as part of a balanced diet. JECFA and EFSA typically evaluate food additives, not staple food ingredients like flour.