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HFCS & Moderation
James M. Rippe, M.D., Cardiologist and Biomedical Sciences Professor at the University of Central Florida discusses family nutrition concerns, moderation and high fructose corn syrup.
Experts on HFCS
Experts from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from health professional organizations to consumer advocacy groups, talk about high fructose corn syrup.
Comparison of Sweeteners
Interested in how high fructose corn syrup compares to other common sweeteners?
The Sugar Fix
Corn Refiners Association Statement - "The Sugar Fix"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2008
CONTACT: Audrae Erickson, President
(202) 331-1634
The book “The Sugar Fix” by Dr. Richard Johnson contains many well-worn myths and misleads consumers about common sugars in the American diet.
His claims that “fructose” has a unique connection to increased risk of adverse health effects are unfounded. Such claims are based on extreme fructose levels as the only dietary carbohydrate — a highly problematic intake condition that is not representative of a normal diet.
Fructose is a common sweetener found in many foods including fruits, juices, and honey. Fructose consumption at normal levels consumed as part of a balanced diet has not been shown to yield such results.
New research continues to confirm that high fructose corn syrup, which is not high in fructose, is no different from other sweeteners. High fructose corn syrup has the same number of calories and similar ratios of the simple sugars fructose and glucose as table sugar and honey.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted high fructose corn syrup “Generally Recognized as Safe” status for use in food, and reaffirmed that ruling in 1996 after thorough review. GRAS recognition by FDA is important because it is only assigned to food ingredients that are recognized by experts as having a long history of safe use or as having their safety shown through adequate scientific studies.
No single food or ingredient is the sole cause of obesity. Rather, too many calories and too little exercise is a primary cause.
Consumption of high fructose corn syrup has been dropping in recent years, yet the rates of obesity and diabetes in the United States continue to rise. Moreover, many other parts of the world have rising rates of obesity and diabetes, despite having little or no high fructose corn syrup in their foods and beverages.
Consumers can learn more about high fructose corn syrup at www.HFCSfacts.com.
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The Corn Refiners Association is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry in the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. For more information, visit www.corn.org.