Ingredient

Tapioca

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Tapioca is often used as a thickener in puddings, pies, and sauces due to …

What is Tapioca?

Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, a tropical root vegetable native to South America. The cassava root is washed, peeled, and then the starch is separated from the pulp. The resulting starch is then dried and processed into various forms, such as pearls, flour, or flakes.

Is Tapioca vegan?

Tapioca is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.

Is Tapioca gluten-free?

It is also naturally gluten-free.

Is Tapioca a major allergen?

Tapioca is not derived from any of the nine major allergens recognized by the FDA.

What is Tapioca used for?

Tapioca is often used as a thickener in puddings, pies, and sauces due to its neutral flavor and ability to create a glossy texture.

Is Tapioca safe?

Tapioca is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food.

Why it's used

Tapioca is often used as a thickener in puddings, pies, and sauces due to its neutral flavor and ability to create a glossy texture. It is also used in baking to improve crispness and in gluten-free products as a substitute for wheat flour.

Health notes

Tapioca is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It is primarily a source of carbohydrates and is low in protein and fat. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated tapioca starch, and it is widely used globally. At typical consumption levels, it is not associated with adverse health effects.

Allergen info

Tapioca is not derived from any of the nine major allergens recognized by the FDA. It is also naturally gluten-free.

Foods that contain Tapioca

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Auto-generated content. This description was generated automatically and is pending editorial review. Inaccuracies are possible. Found a mistake? Contact us.

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.