Sometimes necessity can lead to a good discovery.

[Warpy]

3. The thickener is masa harina

or what they list as yellow corn flour. Actually, the ingredient list isn't as objectionable as a lot of processed foods. What put me off them was the oil they use, it always tasted overused to me, like a Fryolator that hadn't been cleaned out since Prohibition.

So if you want a cheap and not terribly dirty thickener, go ahead and use them. They'll also contribute an extra onion flavor, always a great thing in savory recipes. I think I'd prefer them as a thickener than as themselves, I'd just skim off the oil.