Low mercury or mercury free primary or secondary alkaline manganese dioxide-zinc cell that comprises a manganese dioxide cathode with a manganese dioxide active material and a conductive powder. The active material and powder are uniformly mixed and pressed to form a porous cathode body. The cell further comprises a gelled zinc anode, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte. The anode gel comprises a modified starch as a gelling agent capable of releasing hydrogen gases developed during slow corrosion of zinc in the anode.A hydrogen recombination system can be used in the cell to limit inside pressure within permitted limits by recombining the evolved hydrogen.