Pea starch
Pea starch suppliers and sourcing guide
Pea starch is the starch fraction of yellow field peas (Pisum sativum), recovered as a co-product when peas are wet-milled to make pea protein. The starch is separated from fiber and protein, washed, dried and milled. It is relatively high in amylose, so it forms firm, short-textured gels and sets quickly on cooling. It is used in glass noodles, meat and dairy alternatives, sauces, coatings and as a filler or diluent in supplements.
- Category
- Gums, emulsifiers and thickeners
- Also known as
- Pisum sativum starch · Native pea starch · Yellow pea starch
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of pea starch
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Native pea starch
Unmodified starch, the most common form, for gels, noodles and binding.
Pregelatinized
Precooked and dried to thicken without heating, for instant mixes.
Physically modified or functional native
Heat-treated starches that resist breakdown without chemical modification, sold for clean-label products.
Organic
Starch from certified organic peas, offered by fewer suppliers.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Starch purity
- Starch content on a dry basis, often with residual protein reported.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying, typically against a supplier maximum.
- Viscosity profile
- Paste viscosity by Brabender or Rapid Visco Analyser, showing gelatinization and setback behavior.
- pH, ash and whiteness
- pH of a slurry, ash content and color or whiteness index.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, and often arsenic, cadmium and mercury, by ICP-MS or AAS against the supplier's specification or Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) limits.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store pea starch sealed in a cool, dry place off the floor and away from strong odors; starch picks up moisture and odors and can grow mold if it gets damp. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with retest of moisture and microbiology for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Residual protein, viscosity profile and color can vary with pea crop and process, so record them from each COA. Note the country of origin and any allergen statement for legume-sensitive labels.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists pea starch, from the seed of Pisum sativum, with non-medicinal purposes as a diluent and filler.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (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.
Pea starch suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking pea starch 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 pea starch? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of pea starch can brands buy?
Common forms include native pea starch, pregelatinized, physically modified or functional native and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for pea starch include?
Expect starch purity, moisture, viscosity profile, pH, ash and whiteness, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should pea starch be stored?
Store pea starch sealed in a cool, dry place off the floor and away from strong odors; starch picks up moisture and odors and can grow mold if it gets damp. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with retest of moisture and microbiology for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of pea starch?
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists pea starch, from the seed of Pisum sativum, with non-medicinal purposes as a diluent and filler.
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