The Master List of Corn-Derived Ingredients (Australia-Focused)
Once you start looking for corn on food labels, the list keeps growing. Glucose syrup, dextrose, citric acid. None of those sound like corn, but they can be. And in Australia, labels don’t have to tell you where these ingredients came from.
This master list is designed for Australian families. Keep one thing in mind before you start: not every ingredient here is always corn-based. Some come from wheat, cane sugar, or other sources depending on the manufacturer. Unless a company confirms the source, it’s worth treating ambiguous ones as potentially corn-derived until you know otherwise.
1. Sweeteners and syrups
- Glucose syrup (corn or wheat in Australia, rarely labelled clearly)
- Dextrose
- Maltodextrin
- High fructose corn syrup (rare in local products, common in US imports)
- Corn syrup solids
- Fructose (sometimes corn-derived)
- Sorbitol
- Xylitol (often corn-derived)
- Mannitol, Maltitol, Isomalt
Common in: lollies, chocolates, breakfast cereals, sauces, sugar-free products.
2. Acids and preservatives
- Citric acid (very commonly corn-based)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Sodium ascorbate, Calcium ascorbate
- Lactic acid
- Gluconic acid, Glucono delta lactone (GDL)
- Acetic acid (vinegar base, usually cane sugar in Australia but corn in imports is possible)
- Sodium citrate, Potassium citrate
Common in: soft drinks, canned goods, supplements, dressings.
3. Starches, thickeners, and fillers
- Maize starch (cornstarch)
- Modified food starch
- Pregelatinised starch
- Polydextrose
- Microcrystalline cellulose (may be corn-based)
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)
- Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
- Dextrin, Cyclodextrin
- Baking powder (cornstarch filler is common; cream of tartar and bicarb soda works as a substitute)
Common in: gluten-free breads, sauces, soups, baking mixes, supplements.
4. Alcohols, solvents, and fermentation products
- Ethanol (used in extracts, flavourings, sanitisers, often corn-based)
- Glycerin/glycerol
- Propylene glycol, Butylene glycol
- Vanilla extract (alcohol base often corn-derived)
- Artificial flavours (may use corn alcohols)
- Enzymes grown on corn medium
Common in: flavourings, syrups, lollies, medications, toiletries.
5. Oils and fats
- Corn oil
- Margarine (may include corn-based additives)
- Shortening (may include corn derivatives)
- Lecithin (check source, can be soy, sunflower, or corn)
Common in: processed foods, baked goods, spreads.
6. Colours and flavour enhancers
- Caramel colour (E150d, often from corn sugar)
- MSG (can be made from corn)
- Natural flavours (often dissolved in corn alcohol)
- Annatto colour (sometimes carried in corn starch)
Common in: soft drinks, sauces, packaged snacks, spice mixes.
7. Vitamins, supplements, and pharmaceutical fillers
This is a category worth knowing about, especially if your child takes vitamins or needs medication regularly. Corn turns up more in tablets and capsules than most people expect.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin E (tocopherols, sometimes from corn oil)
- B-vitamins (fillers may be corn starch)
- Folic acid tablets (corn fillers common)
- Magnesium stearate (may use corn starch)
- Iodised salt (anti-caking agent from corn is possible)
- Tablets and capsules (binders, coatings, and fillers are often corn-based)
Common in: supplements, medications, fortified foods.
8. Beyond food
Corn turns up outside the kitchen too, which matters for families with stronger sensitivities.
- Toothpaste (glycerin, sorbitol, flavour carriers)
- Mouthwash (ethanol, sorbitol)
- Chewing gum (polyols, flavours, sweeteners)
- Personal care products (lotions, shampoos, sanitisers)
- Packaging (PLA bioplastics made from corn starch, relevant for extreme sensitivities)
Where to start
The list is long, and that can feel like a lot the first time you read it. The practical approach is to start with the ones you’ll see most often at Woolworths or Coles: glucose syrup, maltodextrin, maize starch, and citric acid. Build from there.
Contact manufacturers directly when you need to know the source of a specific ingredient. Most will tell you if you ask.