Corn Free Shopping Guide
Corn, or maize, is relatively new to European diets, having only entered the diets of European societies after contact with the Americans in the late 15th century. Despite the short amount of time the food has been with the worldwide society it has quickly become the most popular grain produced in the world.
As a result, corn is common in many cereals (not just the ones that say corn). It is also common in many infant formulas and baked goods. It is also common as a preservative and sweetener in meats such as bacon, hot dogs and sausage. Corn can also be found in some vitamins, ointments and medicines. It is also often the sticky part of most envelopes, tapes and other adhesives.
The abundance of corn makes avoiding it difficult to say the least. It also makes compiling the following list that much more difficult; this list is not comprehensive but should give you a start at the items to avoid if you are restricted from eating corn.
The obvious ingredients include:
- Corn
- Cornstarch
- Corn meal
- Maize
- Popcorn
The not-so obvious ingredients include: (more information)
- Baking powder (except for some brands that use potato starch)
- Caramel
- Confectioner's sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Icing sugar
- Grits
- Treacle
- Xanthan gum (not all varieties)
