I have been scanning the archives looking information on potato starch as an
additive to sugar that is fed to bees.  I found thoughts (though they
disagreed) about corn starch and cream of tartar, but nothing on potato
starch.  The reason for my interest is that our local association has just
acquired about 4000 pounds of sugar from an industrial source.  It has
French labeling which makes my understanding more difficult.  It is 97%
sucre (sugar) and 3% Amidon (potato starch).  In appearance it looks more
like granulated sugar - though a finer grain.  The label says "Extra fin."
Extra fine? It is not as fine as powdered sugar.

We have been debating about the advisability of feeding this to the bees.

3% seems like a rather small starch content to be concerned about.  When
mixed with water a precipitate forms at the bottom.  It seems to be the
starch.

We have had many bits of advice and a lot of hypothesizing... but nothing
with authority.  Have any of you had recent experience with such sugar?  Or
any ideas about potato starch?  Any thoughts are appreciated.

Larry Krengel
Marengo, IL

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