1. In industries like those described above, do you think the mix of ingredients used for products in monitored?
2. Can you think of any reasons why a recipe including starch might produce different yields from time to time?

Recipes are used in the manufacturing processes of many sectors. In the paper industry, a starch recipe consisting of borax, caustic soda, starch (from maize or potatoes) and hot water is used to glue corrugated board (cardboard) together. This process is traditionally referred to as the Stein Hall system. Starch is also used in book-binding, paper sack manufacturing and as adhesive on labels and envelopes. Each corrugator board manufacturer has their own specific recipe, as variations in things like board weight and even local water quality affects the adhesive. Starch is also used in the production of pharmaceutical products, namely tablets. Roquette, a European starch and starch derivatives company, supplies starch to pharmaceutical companies, where it is used in the production of many forms of tablet. Drugs delivered in tablet form are manufactured according to recipes too, typically including an active ingredient, a filler (such as natural starches), binders, a coating to disguise taste and possibly an ingredient to help disintegrate the table on ingestion. How the recipe or formula for a tablet is put together is very important from a quality control view, but also from a cost viewpoint. Tablet production relies on highly automated machinery, which is heavily dependent on the ‘flow’ of the ingredients. Too much of one or other ingredient may halt the flow and production, causing high wastage and costing a lot of money.