The present invention provides a process for preparing an inhibited starch comprising, in order: a) extracting starch from a native source and partially refining to provide a partially refined starch having a residual protein content on a dry starch basis of more than 0.4% by weight and less than 8.0% by weight； b) treating said partially refined starch with a bleaching agent to provide an inhibited starch； and c) recovering said inhibited starch.
