I've been reading a lot about a recent study that highlights the presence of mercury in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy issued a report called "Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup." The report finds that some HFCS is made with mercury-grade caustic soda. It's an outdated technology, yet HFCS manufacturers still appear to be using it, and the mercury is making its way into a variety of food products on store shelves — nearly one in three of the 55 HFCS-containing food products that the study tested. These were things like snack bars, barbecue sauce, sloppy joe mix, yogurt and chocolate syrup. Many of these food products are marketed to children and have HFCS as the first or second ingredient on the label.
I think there are a lot of reasons to avoid HFCS (if you haven't already, watch the movie King Corn), and this is just yet another reason to read labels carefully.
Comments (5)
Great post. HFCS is insidiously creeping into everything. YUCK!
Posted by jgk | February 15, 2009 4:27 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 16:27
I agree!! It is so scary how many bad things are added to food these days and how so many people are so unaware. I get the strangest looks at work when I refuse most snacks at meetings and read the ingredients of everything.
I am giving you the letter A. I figured a vowel would be easier than the consonants left :)
Posted by girasoli | February 15, 2009 11:19 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 23:19
Interesting. I didn't know about the mercury. I'm glad that I've been avoiding it for several years now.
Posted by Annie | February 16, 2009 6:50 AM
Posted on February 16, 2009 06:50
And have you seen those rediculous commercials by the corn growers to try to convince us that HFCS is as natural as sunshine?! Give me a break!
Posted by Deborah | February 17, 2009 6:18 AM
Posted on February 17, 2009 06:18
Yes, I have seen those adds too, Deborah! "It is fine in moderation, just like sugar." The whole thing is very strange. And I had no idea that caustic soda is used in this!
Posted by Chiocciola | February 19, 2009 2:46 PM
Posted on February 19, 2009 14:46