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Unfortunately for the high-frutose corn syrup people, the FDA, just now in 2012, said absolutely no to such a change.
Tamera Ward, a spokesperson for the FDA made the following statement: "The use of the term 'corn sugar' to describe high-fructose corn syrup — a product that is a syrup — would not accurately identify or describe the basic nature of the food or its characteristics." [Los Angeles Times: "FDA strikes a sour note for corn sweetener makers"]
The Corn Refiners Association has tried to convince the public that high-fructose corn syrup is the same nutritionally as sucrose made from sugar cane or sugar beets. And, they are correct. Nutritionally high fructose corn syrup is nutritionally the same as other sugars. But …. there is more to this story than just nutrition.
The real problem is in the way high-fructose corn syrup is used. Because it is so cheap to make, food manufacturers are putting high-fructose corn syrup in many more foods than ever before.
Why? Because people like sweetened foods and because high-fructose corn syrup is so cheap to put in all sorts of foods. And, food manufacturers want you to eat more of their products so they make more money. Therefore, put high-fructose corn syrup into as many processed foods and drinks as possible. Overdose the consumer on cheap sugar so they spend more money on their foods and drinks.
Dr. Robert Lustig, who is a pediatric endocrinologist and obesity expert at the University of California at San Francisco, is quoted in the LA Times article.
Dr. Lustig states, "The reason high-fructose corn syrup is evil is because it's cheaper than sucrose. Because it's cheaper, it's finding its way into everything. Things that never had sugar before now have it."
Page two concludes.
