Arrowroot powder
Arrowroot powder suppliers and sourcing guide
Arrowroot powder is the starch extracted from the rhizomes of Maranta arundinacea, a tropical plant grown in the Caribbean (notably St. Vincent), Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. The rhizomes are washed, peeled and pulped, and the starch is washed out with water, settled, purified and dried to a fine white powder. Some products sold as arrowroot are tapioca or other starches, so buyers should confirm the botanical source.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Arrowroot starch · Maranta arundinacea · Arrowroot flour · West Indian arrowroot
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of arrowroot powder
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Pure Maranta arrowroot starch
Starch from Maranta arundinacea only, with the botanical source stated on the specification.
Organic
Certified organic arrowroot, the most common grade in natural and gluten-free products.
Low-micro grades
Lots with tighter microbiological limits for uncooked uses such as dusting, dry mixes and capsules.
Substitute starches sold as arrowroot
Some "arrowroot" in trade is tapioca (cassava) or other root starch; these need their own name on the label.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity by microscopy
- Starch granule shape and size under the microscope, which distinguishes Maranta arrowroot from tapioca, potato or corn starch.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying, typically against a specification in the low to mid teens of percent.
- Viscosity and gel
- Pasting profile (for example RVA or Brabender) or a simple gel test, since thickening power varies by lot.
- Ash, pH and whiteness
- Ash, pH of a slurry and color or whiteness, which show how well the starch was washed.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and other metals by ICP-MS against the supplier's specification.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store arrowroot sealed in a cool, dry area off the floor and away from strong odors, which starch can absorb. Keep pest control in place, as with other starches and flours. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with moisture and microbiology retested on aged stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Thickening power, whiteness and moisture vary between lots and origins. Record origin and botanical source for each lot, and ask new suppliers for microscopy or a declaration confirming Maranta arundinacea starch.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists arrowroot starch with the technical effect "stabilizer or thickener."
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 184.1277 describes dextrin as prepared by dry heating starches, naming arrowroot among the permitted starch sources.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.91 allows a "gluten-free" claim on a food that inherently does not contain gluten only when any unavoidable presence of gluten is below 20 ppm.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Arrowroot powder suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking arrowroot powder suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell arrowroot powder? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of arrowroot powder can brands buy?
Common forms include pure Maranta arrowroot starch, organic, low-micro grades and substitute starches sold as arrowroot. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for arrowroot powder include?
Expect identity by microscopy, moisture, viscosity and gel, ash, pH and whiteness, microbiology and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should arrowroot powder be stored?
Store arrowroot sealed in a cool, dry area off the floor and away from strong odors, which starch can absorb. Keep pest control in place, as with other starches and flours. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with moisture and microbiology retested on aged stock.
What is the regulatory status of arrowroot powder?
FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists arrowroot starch with the technical effect "stabilizer or thickener." 21 CFR 184.1277 describes dextrin as prepared by dry heating starches, naming arrowroot among the permitted starch sources. 21 CFR 101.91 allows a "gluten-free" claim on a food that inherently does not contain gluten only when any unavoidable presence of gluten is below 20 ppm.
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