A high quality starch, wholesome to be used for food applications is produced from green unpeeled bananas though a cost efficient, commercially viable process. The process steps involve an optional initial comminution, lye milling of the bananas, holding the milled solution for a minimum of 1 hour, sieving to remove pomace and fiber, concentrating, neutralizing the starch solution, dewatering and drying. The final product is of very high quality and devoid of detectable pesticide and/or fungicide residues.