Pretzels Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour

Unbleached enriched wheat flour is a finely ground powder made from milled wheat grains. 'Unbleached' means it has not been treated with chemical bleaching agents. 'Enriched' means that certain B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid) and iron have been added back after the milling process.

Manufacturers use wheat flour as a primary ingredient to provide structure, texture, and bulk in a wide variety of baked goods. It is a fundamental component in products like bread, cakes, cookies, and, as in this case, pretzels, forming the main body of the food.

Wheat flour is a staple food ingredient and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The enrichment of flour with vitamins and iron is a public health measure to prevent nutrient deficiencies. JECFA and EFSA do not typically evaluate basic food ingredients like wheat flour as food additives. For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming wheat flour can cause adverse health effects.