Choose organic flour whenever possible, ideally without added malted barley or synthetic nutrient additives like thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, or folic acid.
Avoiding conventional flour may also reduce exposure to herbicide residues such as Glyphosate, which have been detected in grocery store flour, and wheat products like breads, crackers, cakes, and muffins.
Why skip malted barley? It's often added to both organic and conventional flours as an enzyme source, but it can also contribute free glutamates, which people report as triggering headaches, migraines, and/or gastrointestinal distress.
Lower-quality flour products may also include bleached wheat flour or additives such as Potassium bromate, a dough conditioner classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Looking for a high-quality pantry flour? Consider heritage-milled options like those from Janie's Mill.
And while you're in the grocery aisle, tools like the Healthy Pantry App can help you make smarter, wellness-focused choices.