Baylor Health Care System
 

Starch ingestion

Definition

Starch is a substance, one form of which is used for cooking, and another which is used to add firmness and shape to clothing. Starch ingestion occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows starch.

Alternative Names

Cooking starch; Laundry starch

Poisonous Ingredient

Cooking and laundry starch are both made from vegetable products, most commonly:

  • Corn
  • Potatoes
  • Rice
  • Wheat

Both are usually considered non-poisonous (non-toxic), but some older laundry starches may contain:

  • Borax
  • Magnesium salts
  • Polishing agents

Where Found

  • Cooking starch
  • Cosmetic products
  • Laundry products (laundry starch)

Cooking starch and laundry starch are different substances. There are many brand names for both. This list may not include all uses of starch.

Review Date: 2/27/2008
Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

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