HFCS Press Releases

Corn Refiners Association Statement on GHSU Study

January 27, 2012 - A study by researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University draws unfounded conclusions about cardiovascular risks associated with consuming fructose, which is found in many sweeteners, including table sugar (sucrose) and high fructose corn syrup.

Inconclusive Fructose Study Author Admits Conflict of Interest

January 26, 2012 - A study published in the journal Metabolism, which attempts to evaluate the effect of high fructose corn syrup versus sucrose (sugar), is in fact not a comparison and should not be used to base any conclusions about sugar metabolism.

Sugar Industry in a Stretch: Pitching New Study To Create False Scientific Controversy

December 19, 2011 - Yet again, the refined sugar industry is trying to confuse Americans about the health aspects of refined sugar as compared to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This time, the sugar industry is basing these claims on a faulty consumer survey and an inconclusive scientific study.

Sugar Industry At It Again: Sugar Lawyers Refile Claims Already Rejected By Court

November 21, 2011 - In another legal maneuver, the sugar industry is attempting to revive claims against member companies of the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) that a federal judge recently dismissed.

Sugar Industry “Shopping Mall” Survey Misleads Consumers

November 11, 2011 - The shopping mall survey announced today by the Sugar Association misleads consumers by perpetuating the myth that sucrose (table sugar) is healthier than high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). “The Sugar Association has a commercial interest in keeping consumer confusion regarding HFCS alive. And that is precisely what their shopping mall survey attempts to accomplish,” said Audrae Erickson, President of the Corn Refiners Association (CRA).

Court Rejects Key Portions of Lawsuit against Corn Refining Industry

October 23, 2011 - “The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is pleased that the court in the Western Sugar case has stricken the sugar industry’s state law claim under the California anti-SLAPP statute, which provides for early dismissals of meritless cases aimed at chilling freedom of expression,” says Audrae Erickson, President of the CRA. The sugar industry alleged that the CRA's educational campaign to defend the merits of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was deceptive. “To the contrary,” Erickson said, “the educational campaign is science based and supported by a wide variety of medical and scientific experts.”

Heart Disease Study Fails to Prove Increased Risk Factors

July 28, 2011 - The results of a study published in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism do not show any clinically relevant increases in LDL and triglyceride levels as a result of added sugar consumption, according to cardiologist James M. Rippe, M.D., Founder and Director of the Rippe Lifestyle Institute, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida, and consultant to the food industry.

Studies Show No Meaningful Difference between High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sucrose

May 24, 2011 - A comprehensive review of research focusing on the debate between High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and other sweeteners presented today finds there is no evidence of any significant variation in the way the human body metabolizes HFCS as opposed to standard table sugar, or any difference in impact on risk factors for chronic disease.

Corn Refiners Responds to the Lawsuit Filed in the Central District of California U.S. District Court

April 28, 2011 - Read the full statement of Audrae Erickson, president, Corn Refiners Association, regarding the lawsuit.

Fairfax Schools Mislead Community on Chocolate Milk Sweetener

April 7, 2011 - The April 1 announcement by Fairfax County Public Schools for the return of chocolate milk to elementary schools may mislead parents and students about sweeteners. The decision to once again offer chocolate milk to students is commendable. However, it is unfortunate that the district chose to deprive students of chocolate milk for eight months in order to remove high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and replace it with sugar. The two sweeteners have the same calories and are handled by the body the same way.

Fructose Hypothesis Fundamentally Flawed

November 29, 2010 - An article published in the November 29 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) incorrectly suggests that consumption of ‘excessive’ fructose in the American diet may play a unique role in high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease.

Moderate Sugar Intake as Part of a Balanced Diet Doesn’t Promote Weight Gain, or Risk Factors for Heart Disease

November 17, 2010 - Consuming fructose from added sugars at levels found in the average American diet does not lead to weight gain or an increased risk for heart disease when part of a weight-stable diet, according to new data presented today at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2010. The results mark the first time researchers have measured the effects of added sugars consumption on metabolic measures such as body weight, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels, when consumed at levels typical of the general population.

Focus on Fructose Misplaced

November 11, 2010 – Media reports regarding a study by Hyon K. Choi, M.D., Ph.D., of the Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual scientific meeting once again confuse fructose with high fructose corn syrup.

Sugar Content Study Flawed

October 27, 2010 – A news release issued today by the University of Southern California alleging higher than normal amounts of fructose in sweetened beverages containing high fructose corn syrup appears to have failed to use standard analytical procedures to measure the content of sugars present.

Corn Refiners Petition FDA for Use of "Corn Sugar" as Alternate Name for High Fructose Corn Syrup: Eliminating Consumer Confusion Is the Goal

September 14, 2010 – In an effort to help clarify the labeling of food products for consumers, the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) today petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow manufacturers the option of using ‘corn sugar’ as an alternative name for high fructose corn syrup.

Sara Lee Swaps Corn Sugar for Cane/Beet Sugar Don’t Be Fooled: The Bread’s Still The Same

August 6, 2010 – The decision of Sara Lee Corp. to remove high fructose corn syrup from its Soft & Smooth® Made with Whole Grain White bread and Soft & Smooth® Plus 100% Whole Wheat bread varieties, may be misleading to consumers by implying that breads made with other sweeteners, such as sugar, are healthier.

Study on Fructose and Pancreatic Cancer Generates Premature and Potentially Misleading Conclusions

August 3, 2010 – A study published in the August issue of Cancer Research has resulted in several premature and potentially misleading conclusions when it comes to fructose and its effect on pancreatic tumor cells. Unfortunately, the media covering this story, and even the authors, have been too quick to extrapolate the results of laboratory research on pure fructose to real-world conditions, which is not appropriate or helpful to consumers.

Fructose Hyperbole? Can the Human Body Discern Sugar Sweetened Milk from its High Fructose Corn Syrup Counterpart?

June 19, 2010 – New research released today from Rippe Lifestyle Institute and the University of Central Florida shows no difference between table sugar and high fructose corn syrup on weight gain or any changes in risk factors for metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Swimsuit or Sweets? Americans Are Conflicted

May 25, 2010 - As summer approaches, Americans start to dream of sweets. In fact, nearly 30% of those surveyed associate sweet icy treats with summer – ice cream, popsicles and frozen yogurt, to name a few.

Gross Errors in Princeton Animal Study on Obesity and High Fructose Corn Syrup

March 22, 2010 - A March 22, 2010 press release entitled “A sweet problem: Princeton researchers find that high-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain” issued by Princeton University was based on a study that used grossly exaggerated intake levels in rats and incorrectly suggested that such results could have significant meaning for humans.

Flaws in Duke University Statement About High Fructose Corn Syrup

March 19, 2010 - A March 18, 2010 press release entitled “High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to Liver Scarring” issued by Duke University incorrectly singled out high fructose corn syrup as being responsible for scarring in the liver and other liver diseases, when the underlying study for the release reviewed dietary intake of fructose containing beverages – not high fructose corn syrup.

Breakthrough CBS News Health Report: “High Fructose Corn Syrup - It’s Just Sugar”

March 11, 2010 - CBS Evening News with Katie Couric ran a report, “Is high fructose corn syrup really so bad?” prepared by CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller. In the report, Ms. Miller noted, “High fructose corn syrup is just sugar with an image problem.”

High Fructose Corn Syrup & Mercury: Independent Testing Found No Quantifiable Mercury – Review by Duke University Medical Center Read more>>

To schedule an interview with an independent expert concerning high fructose corn syrup or for more information, please contact:

Audrae Erickson
President
Corn Refiners Association
1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006-5806
Phone: (202) 331-1634
Fax: (202) 331-2054
pressinquiry@corn.org