Maltodextrin in our children snack

Maltodextrin is a white powder derived from either corn or potatoes, at least in the United States. It is often used in combination with other additives and spices to form a dry savory or sweet coating for fried snack foods such as corn chips and potato chips. Maltodextrin is considered to be a polysaccharide, which qualifies it as an alternative sweetener to sucrose or fructose. Although rarely marketed by itself, maltodextrin can often be found as an ingredient in a number of other artificial sweetener blends.

Around the kitchen, maltodextrin is among some of the most usable of the dextrin family. At least one of the major artificial sweeteners relies on a base of maltodextrin. This means the substance can often be found in packaged goods such as instant pudding and flavored gelatins. The sweet taste of maltodextrin makes is a closer approximation to the taste of sugar, which makes it ideal for use in sweetening teas, coffee, and powdered soft drinks. Maltodextrin can also be used as a thickening agent in a number of sauces and salad dressings.

As a rather common additive to a number of different types of foods, maltodextrin is classified as a sweet polysaccharide. While containing sweet qualities, maltodextrin is considered to contain fewer calories than sugar. While considered to be a carbohydrate, maltodextrin is understood to be more easily digested than some other forms of carbohydrates, leaving behind less of the potential for health issues. This can be especially important for an individual who is trying to manage their Type 2 diabetes with their diet.

When it comes to determining the relative safety of a food product, there are few absolutes. A food additive called maltodextrin, a powder often found in snack foods such as flavored potato chips or crackers, is a case in point. Although the use of maltodextrin is approved in US and Uerope, it is still considered as "poison" since it may cause allergic reactions, skin rashes (Urticaria), hyperactivity, asthma and even cancer.

Many artificial sweeteners and additives like maltodextrin are considered to be safe in the sense of non-toxic, but many experts question their unhealthy effects on the human body.