Sugar Cookie Mix: Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour

Enriched bleached wheat flour is a common ingredient made by grinding wheat kernels into a fine powder. It undergoes a bleaching process to whiten the flour and improve its baking qualities. The flour is then 'enriched' by adding back essential nutrients, such as B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid) and iron, which are often lost during processing.

Manufacturers use enriched bleached wheat flour as a primary structural ingredient in many baked goods. It provides texture and volume to products like cakes, cookies, breads, and pastries. Its fine texture and improved baking properties make it ideal for light and airy baked items.

Enriched bleached wheat flour is recognized by the FDA as a staple food ingredient. The FDA mandates the enrichment of flour with specific vitamins and iron to address nutrient deficiencies. Bleaching agents used in flour are approved by the FDA and considered safe at the levels typically used. No specific JECFA or EFSA evaluation exists for 'enriched bleached wheat flour' as an additive, as it is a fundamental food ingredient.