So, I was sitting on my bed wondering what I should write my second blog post about, and when I looked up from my laptop, what did I see? Easy Mac. Every college students safety- net, other than ramen noodles of course. When I am too lazy to wait in the long lines at the dining commons or at the mix, I find comfort in Easy Mac. You just add some water, stick it in the microwave, and in three minutes done! This being said, I have always wondered what the white powder in the microwaveable bowl is, and why it is essential to the process of microwaveable macaroni. Well, now I have finally looked into it, and would like to share my findings with all of you.
According to The Huffington Post , a representative from the Kraft Food Consumer Center, “identified the white powder as Modified Food Starch.” Modified Food Starch is starch that has had its fundamental properties physically, synthetically, and chemically altered in order to make foods like Easy Mac “instant.” In fact, modified food starch often starts out as potatoes, tapioca, corn, rice, and/or wheat. However, then, it becomes modified through the use of acid, roasting, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, electrical charge, emulsifiers, and starch ether. It is actually very interesting because, once altered, the now, modified food starch, can help various food products last longer and withstand high temperatures. That is why, “according to the Kraft representative, the starch is added to thicken the water and ensure that it does not boil over violently.”
Now, before I end, I have probably scared you by mentioning all of the chemical and synthetic changes to starch, but according to, A Life Less Sweet, there are no studies that show modified food starch to be dangerous. At the end of the day it is a life-style choice, and those of you who feel the need to stay away from processed food will find comfort in more natural, organic, and whole food items such as fruits, vegetables, and certain meats. If anyone at all should be concerned about their health regarding modified food starch, it should be those who are allergic to wheat and gluten due to the fact that manufacturers will often use corn and wheat because it is the cheapest and easily accessible. Lastly, don’t think that easy mac is the only food product that utilizes modified food starch. Modified food starch can be found in candy like jelly beans, chips, canned soup, and low-fat ice cream as well.
All in all, it is safe to say that while the white powder inside your easy mac may appear sketchy. It is really there to provide you with the instant satisfaction of cheesy goodness with barely any cleanup once you are done.
Websites Used:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/29/easy-mac-white-powder-what_n_5730236.html
http://blog.bobsredmill.com/featured-articles/modified-food-starch-demystified/
http://gluten.lovetoknow.com/What_Is_Modified_Food_Starch
http://alifelesssweet.blogspot.com/2009/05/because-you-askedmodified-food-starch.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_starch
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3vark2QPiU/TqxjC3NxKmI/AAAAAAAAARo/37pr-IWBt9w/s1600/IMG_7417.JPG
While I rely on products such as EasyMac for a quick meal, I am skeptical that the starch in the product is “harmless” as your last article claims. While it may not be a large contributor to the poor nutrition facts, it must contribute some unhealthy characteristics right? Perhaps elaborating on the harmless part would clear things up a bit. I love the instantaneous satisfaction/component of the product, but I feel like it cannot be completely harmless.
I also was very curious as to what the white powder in the easy mac bowl was too so now I’m happy it’s actually safe and not harmful. I’m a big eater in easy mac too, so if the modified food starch was harmful I’d be pretty upset.
I basically live off Easy Mac. And I’ve always wondered what was inside the container. I never thought of it to be Modified food starch. I’m glad it’s there because without it, there would be no way to eat mac and cheese without actually making it on a stove. But you definitely didn’t scare me away from my go to lunch.
Honestly, I had never questioned the white powder in the mini bowls until today. Until right now, it had just seemed like a minuscule factor in a bowl of deliciousness. I’m interested to see if more research will start to be done on this ingredient and if, in the future, there will be movements against it as there were for other things such as meats, GMOs, etc.. I also wonder why I’ve always overlooked it. I mean, a random white substance in a bowl on uncooked noodles should seem a bit suspicious. I love easy mac, though, and will most likely continue to eat it! Whatever it takes to get me a meal in 3 minutes!