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Sweet confusion
Is high-fructose corn syrup natural?
By Kim Carlson
April 8, 2008
Last week it was reported that the FDA does not consider high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) a “natural sweetener,” and that it would not be allowed to be labeled as such; the sweetener is a highly processed derivative of corn.
A day or two later, the trade association for the corn growers objected to that characterization, claiming that the person who made the statement at the FDA was merely answering a reporter’s question and was not stating an FDA policy.
Sounds as if there’s some sorting out to be done.
Meanwhile, Sam Fromartz, of the blog Chews Wise, asks whether we can now expect HFCS not to be labeled “organic.” Wait, you ask, is that possible now? According to Fromartz, it is. Stay tuned.
Sift Mercury in corn syrupYet another reason to avoid HFCS | SiftTerminology troubleHow “natural” is your food? | SiftA syrup by any other nameWill HFCS get rebranded? | SiftChemical sweetenerHow do you take your sugar? |
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There are 2 comments on this item
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1. by anonymous on Apr 8, 2008 at 10:30 AM PDT
It can be argued that HFCS is evil on many levels. Strive to eliminate it and your diet cannot help but improve.
2. by justcorbly on Apr 8, 2008 at 3:27 PM PDT
Too much emphasis is placed on the “natural” label, which is little more than a marketing gambit. The world is ful of wonderfully natural things that will kill you. Better to focus on what’s healthy and what’s not. Whatever the FDA allows manufacturers to put on bottles of the stuff, HFCS isn’t healthy.
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