Deep dig into 76 batches of inspection data: The biggest pitfall for lotus root powder is bacterial colony exceeding standards

This article is sourced from Consumer Reports. Author: Zhang Derong / Liao Yuting

Among affordable health supplements, lotus root powder is one of the top choices. It is rich in dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and other minerals, with benefits that include nourishing qi and blood, clearing heat, and moisturizing dryness. More importantly, although carbohydrates account for up to 90%, its glycemic index is only 33, making it a low-GI food that precisely targets modern health concerns.

However, the standards used for commercially available lotus root powder vary, and not all lotus root powder can be labeled as “pure lotus root powder.” Additionally, traditional production of lotus root powder typically involves multiple steps such as selecting lotus roots, grinding into pulp, washing, bleaching, and drying. These manual processes involve prolonged exposure and pose hygiene risks, so consumers should be especially cautious when purchasing.

1. “Unhygienic” lotus root powder often exceeds mold standards

Consumer Reports reviewed recent quality inspection data from national and provincial market supervision authorities (data collection period: January 2022 to March 2025) and found that 76 batches of lotus root powder failed quality tests across various regions. The main issues involved mold, total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, and peroxide value.

Among these, mold exceeding standards was the primary reason for failure, accounting for 72.2% (57 cases); followed by total bacterial count exceeding limits at 24.1% (19 cases); and coliform bacteria exceeding limits at 2.5% (2 cases).

It is important to note that mold, total bacterial count, and coliform bacteria are key microbial indicators for evaluating food hygiene quality. These three factors account for 98.7% of all failures. Exceeding standards in these areas suggests potential contamination and health risks.

Molds are fungi that can cause food spoilage and loss of edibility. Some toxin-producing molds (such as Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium) can produce potent toxins like aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in lotus root powder. Consuming contaminated products may lead to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, and in severe cases, cause toxic hepatitis.

Regarding the frequent mold contamination in lotus root powder, an engineer from a testing agency explained: “Lotus root starch has high moisture content and a near-neutral pH, which creates ideal conditions for mold growth and toxin stability. Additionally, lotus root powder is hygroscopic, and molds prefer warm and moist environments. Once certain temperature and humidity levels are reached, mold growth can increase exponentially. Eating moldy lotus root powder often results in food poisoning, with symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.”

We advise consumers to carefully inspect lotus root powder products before use. If you notice off-odor, clumping, or other abnormalities, stop consumption immediately.

2. Shopping tips: a significant difference in lotus content

Consumer Reports’ investigation found that the standards used for commercial lotus root powder vary. The most commonly referenced standards are the “National Food Safety Standard for Instant Grain Products” (GB 19640-2016) and the “General Quality Specification for Lotus Root Powder” (GB/T 25733-2022).

(Graphic source: E-commerce shopping platform)

GB 19640-2016 is a mandatory national standard applicable to various instant grain products, including cereal flakes, sesame paste, lotus seed soup, lotus root powder, mixed bean paste, porridge, and more. This standard does not specify minimum content requirements for specific raw materials like lotus root powder, nor does it differentiate based on raw material quality.

GB/T 25733-2022 is a recommended national standard that classifies lotus root powder into categories such as pure lotus root powder (with grades 1 and 2), instant lotus root powder, and blended lotus root powder, based on lotus content and processing methods. It clearly states that pure lotus root powder should contain at least 50% typical lotus starch granules, while instant and blended varieties should contain at least 40%.

(Graphic source: “General Quality Specification for Lotus Root Powder” (GB/T 25733-2022))

Pure lotus root powder is made solely from lotus roots, processed into lotus starch without chemical treatment or alteration of the starch’s physical and chemical properties.

Instant lotus root powder primarily uses pure lotus root powder (≥50%) as raw material, with optional additives such as sugar, maltodextrin, osmanthus, flavorings, etc. It is produced through mixing, grinding (or not), stirring, granulating (or not), and drying, and can be directly dissolved in hot water for consumption.

Blended lotus root powder uses either pure or instant lotus root powder (≥50%) as a base, with or without additives like sugar, maltodextrin, osmanthus, flavorings, and additional ingredients such as dried nuts or fruits, processed through mixing and other steps to produce products with visible or all mixed-in ingredients.

Compared to pure lotus root powder, not all lotus root powders are truly “pure.” Instant and blended varieties often contain significantly less lotus content, with non-lotus ingredients reaching up to 50%. Consumer Reports recommends choosing products labeled according to GB/T 25733-2022 (recommended national standard), which sets minimum quality thresholds and helps consumers make informed choices. For those seeking “100% pure lotus root powder,” look for products explicitly labeled as “pure lotus root powder.”

【Special Notice】All original data used in this article are sourced from official websites of government market supervision departments. The data are objective and accurate. If inspection results verified and confirmed by relevant government authorities show any discrepancies, please contact us promptly.