ARROWROOT ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Arrowroot is a plant starch traditionally ground from the root of the Maranta arundinacea plant, but is also sometimes substituted with tapioca from cassava (Manihot esculenta).
Cassava is in the Euphorbiaceae family of plants. This family also includes castor beans and the rubber tree plant Hevea brasiliensis the main plant responsible for latex allergies. You can read more about cassava here.
Arrowroot is a good gluten free and allergy friendly substitute and is used as a thickener and as an egg replacer in baking vegan goods.
Cassava is in the Euphorbiaceae family of plants. This family also includes castor beans and the rubber tree plant Hevea brasiliensis the main plant responsible for latex allergies. You can read more about cassava here.
Arrowroot is a good gluten free and allergy friendly substitute and is used as a thickener and as an egg replacer in baking vegan goods.
Food Intolerances
Arrowroot is a low FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Arrowroot is a food low in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause gastrointestinal food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
Arrowroot sourced from Maranta arundinacea is not associated with any allergic syndromes.
Arrowroot sourced from cassava, (Manihot esculenta) can be linked to Latex Food Syndrome as the main allergen is similar in structure to hevein, which can cause problems in people with a latex allergy.
Arrowroot sourced from cassava, (Manihot esculenta) can be linked to Latex Food Syndrome as the main allergen is similar in structure to hevein, which can cause problems in people with a latex allergy.
Cross Reactivity
There is no cross reactivity linked to arrowroot sourced from Maranta arundinacea.
For arrowroot from cassava there is a possibility of cross reactivity for people with a sensitivity to hevein or chitinase. Foods which contain high levels of chitinase are avocado, banana, chestnuts, corn (maize), kiwi, papaya, pomegranate and tomatoes.
These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
For arrowroot from cassava there is a possibility of cross reactivity for people with a sensitivity to hevein or chitinase. Foods which contain high levels of chitinase are avocado, banana, chestnuts, corn (maize), kiwi, papaya, pomegranate and tomatoes.
These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
DermNet NZ - Additives and E Numbers
The Food Intolerance Dietician - Salicylates
Articles and Journals
Application of Composite Flour from Indonesian Local Tubers in Gluten-Free Pancakes, 2023
Review Article: Arrowroot - Gluten-free, Multipurpose Crops, 2022
Research Notes: Benefits and Possible Food Applications of Arrowroot (Maranta Arundinaceae L.), 2021
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.): Botany, Horticulture, and Uses, 2021
A case of generalized urticaria caused by arrowroot ingestion, 2010
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