记者调查发现，在湖北、四川等地，部分淀粉加工企业正在非法使用薯片生产废料制造食用淀粉[1]。这些被业内称为"毛粉"的废料是薯片生产过程中产生的残余物，按照行业惯例通常应用于饲料或胶水生产，根本"不能卖给人吃"[1]。
这些毛粉的储存和运输条件令人堪忧[1]。调查显示，部分毛粉存在露天堆放、淋雨运输、发黄生虫、散发酸臭味等问题[1]。经过再加工后，这类质量严重缺陷的废料制成的食用淀粉流向了食品加工企业及批发市场[1]。专家指出，食用淀粉的生产标准是基于新鲜马铃薯制定的，使用废料生产明显违反了相关标准[1]。
An investigation has uncovered that starch processing enterprises in Hubei and Sichuan provinces are illegally manufacturing food-grade starch using "hairy powder," a waste byproduct from potato chip production [1]. According to industry standards, this residual material from chip manufacturing is typically designated for animal feed or adhesive production and "should not be sold for human consumption" [1].
The waste material exhibits severe contamination issues, including outdoor storage, exposure to rain during transport, yellowing, insect infestation, and a strong sour odor [1]. Despite these quality concerns, some starch processors are reprocessing this contaminated hairy powder into food-grade starch that ultimately reaches food manufacturing companies and wholesale markets [1]. Experts have noted that food-grade starch production standards were established based on fresh potatoes, making the use of such degraded feedstock a clear violation of these guidelines [1].