Will the truth about high fructose corn syrup please stand up ?

Over the last five to ten years consumer perception surrounding high fructose corn syrup has turned increasingly negative. The sheer force of this perception created a tidal wave of reformulation away from this sweetener to alternatives.

Until now, it has been unclear as to whether the health issues frequently associated with the consumption of high fructose corn syrup could be substantiated. During the recent International Food Technologist (IFT) Conference new evidence was unveiled from both governmental and private agencies dispelling many of the concerns surrounding high fructose corn syrup.

According to USDA, the American Medical Association, and others, fructose-containing sweeteners—such as sugar, invert sugar, honey, fruit juice concentrates, and high fructose corn syrup—are essentially interchangeable in composition, calories, and metabolism.

"This is a marketing issue, not a metabolic issue," stated David Klurfeld, Ph.D., national program leader for human nutrition in USDA's Agricultural Research Service.

Cardiologist and biomedical sciences professor at the University of Central Florida James Rippe, M.D. was quoted as saying that "By every parameter yet measured in human beings, high fructose corn syrup and sugar are identical. This is not surprising since high fructose corn syrup and sugar are metabolized the same by the body, have the same level of sweetness and the same number of calories per gram."

These findings and statements by themselves will not change the force that is public perception, but perhaps as the swell of information surrounding this issue flows across additional streams of media, the general consumer could be further educated on this.

It is not for us to determine whether high fructose corn syrup or other fructose-containing sweeteners are ultimately good for you, but it is our mission to provide the unbiased truth. It seems in this case high fructose corn syrup has been the victim of some negative press.

McKeany-Flavell constantly monitors developments in the sweeteners market. Please contact us for more information about cocoa or other food commodities.

McKEANY-FLAVELL COMPANY, INC.