Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup: What They’re Just Now Telling Us
February 3, 2009 in Food
As if we needed another reason to avoid high fructose corn syrup. (You’ll want to put down that soda now.)
Last week two studies were released showing that mercury was found in some high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
One study tested 55 brand-name foods (containing HFCS) from grocery store shelves in Fall 2008, and found mercury in nearly one-third of those products. Do you have any of these at home?
- Coca-Cola Classic
- Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
- Smucker’s Strawberry Jelly
- Nutri‐Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars
- Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup
- See the complete list of foods tested.
The Mercury Risk
Mercury is a toxin to the brain. There is no “safe amount” to ingest. It is especially dangerous for children and unborn babies whose brains are developing.
Even if the doses are small, it’s a concern because Americans consume so much HFCS on a regular basis: 12 teaspoons per day on average.
The Questions
How could the mercury be there?
HFCS is produced using many chemicals, and those chemicals are made by various manufacturers. Some of those manufacturers still use an outdated process involving mercury to make two of the chemicals, which can then be sold to HFCS producers. Consequently, mercury residue can end up in the final product.
The FDA knew about the possibility… and did nothing. In 2005 a researcher at the FDA named Renee Dufault tested samples of HFCS, and found mercury in nine of twenty samples. The FDA chose not to tell consumers, change industry standards, or do any more testing. Renee Dufault left the FDA, and those test results are now published in the current issue of Environmental Health.
How did the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) respond?
This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance. Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years…
In 1983, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally listed high fructose corn syrup as safe for use in food and reaffirmed that decision in 1996.
The CRA’s response basically assures me that any HFCS I consumed during my childhood did in fact contain mercury. They do not want to assume any responsibility or do additional testing for the current findings.
What to Do
So how do you know if the HFCS in your other food contains mercury? They won’t tell you. The HFCS manufacturers consider it “proprietary.” You may want to avoid it altogether.
You can call the customer service number on the back of food packages and express your concern.
In 2007, then-Senator Obama introduced legislation that would phase out the use of mercury, but it did not pass. Four chlorine factories in the United States (and more outside the U.S.) still use mercury to create those chemicals, which can then be sold to HFCS manufacturers. You can send an email to the CEOs of those companies.
High fructose corn syrup is as safe as sugar? Give me a break.
Sources:
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) report and press release
- Environmental Health article by Renee Dufault, et al.
so with you on this one!
Oy. Isn’t this infuriating? I love how they try to reassure you with “only using hydrochloric acid and caustic soda”. That stuff is nasty, too. I remember clearly working in the labs in college with those two substances. Heavy duty gloves and goggles are necessary. Do we need to wear those when eating processed foods, too?
Shannon´s last blog post..Today’s Simple Woman’s Daybook
We’ve been HFCS free for about 2 years, since I read Omnivore’s Dilemma by Micheal Pollan. HFCS is the product of numerous derivative chemical reactions and though the source material is corn, HFCS IS NOT FOOD. The food industry, as distinct from farming, will never voluntarily do anything which undermines profitability. The plant which was the source of salmonella outbreak knew about the contamination 6 months ago. They just kept testing until they got a clean sample and that’s all the law requires them to do. Buyer beware or buy unprocessed foods from a local source with some accountability.
Juliet´s last blog post..The Cold Dead Hand of the Free Market
Good thing Sandra over at My Inspired Heart posted a homemade chocolate syrup over at http://myinspiredheart.blogspot.com/2009/01/yummy-recipe-and-saving-money.html
The FDA makes me mad. There are so many things that they allow as “food” and then prohibit the real food and herbs and such. It’s just…maddening!
I have been avoiding HFCS quite diligently anyhow, now I have another reason to avoid it even more!
Tammy´s last blog post..~16 Years in the Making…~
Can you provide a link or a reference for those original two studies? I’d love to read the whole thing.
Natalie, the original studies are both linked at the end of this article as sources.
The study of the 55 brand-name foods is in the IATP report, and the study of the 20 samples of HFCS is in the Environmental Health report.
Thanks for sharing this. This is the first time I’ve considered going HFCS-free — if only because I buy mostly slow foods anyway and don’t have kids yet. Now I’ll definitely watch out for HFCS on my labels.
I can’t believe the FDA did nothing. Why even bother with a federal food watchdog if they do nothing about this stuff anyway?
SavvyChristine´s last blog post..A Good Winter Breakfast
We have been HFCS free ever since I saw the effect it had on my daughter. After eating anything containing HFCS, she would have these temper tantrums. Kicking her legs and screaming. The kicking was consistent every time she ate the stuff. People told me I was nuts, but I know that was it. I get so frustrated at all of the crap that is allowed into our foods! Some people can afford a healthy, whole foods diet, but what about the low-income families? What about the items that can be purchased with the coupons in the Sunday paper? They are all foods that contain artificial colors, sweeteners and other additives. Is it any wonder Autism and ADHD are on the rise?
They tell us it’s safe in moderation and then make it impossible for us to eat it in moderation.
Thanks for a great post! I’ve linked to it from my blog.
Becky´s last blog post..Surprise, you’ve been eating mercury!
To put this into perspective, the EPA and FDA have a maximum limit on drinking water of 2000 ppt (2 ppb), which is 6 times that of the Quaker Oatmeal To Go (350 ppt) and 10 times that of Kraft Original BBQ sauce (200 ppt).
So while it’s bad to have mercury in your products on shelves you can’t complain too much when your drinking water may have 10-100 times as much mercury in it. That’s the same water you bath, drink, wash, and cook in so your overall exposure to that mercury is higher.
Perspective. If you’re mad about this then be even madder about your water.
We were just reading about this report last week. I sent it to all of the soda lovers we knew.
Thank you for getting the word out even more. I think that this post is wonderful–both the message and how you put it together.
Thank you!
Katie
Katie at makingthishome.com´s last blog post..Dishwashers or Hand Washers? Our Newest Appliance
We have avoided HFCS for a long time but as my children get more involved with other families through play dates and classes I find that the other paretns bring snacks that have artificial ingredients in them. I already feel like people think I’m crazy for what we limit. I’ve shared this on my blog. We need to spread the word.
I like what Colin said but it is difficult to avoid water. We can avoid products made by Kellog and the like.
Thanks for sharing this.
Nina´s last blog post..Our Nature Table
Thanks for posting this one. I’d heard rumblings that there was mercury in HFCS, but hadn’t seen any sources cited. This is what I needed.
THANK YOU for sharing this. Wow. I am shocked. I never thought HFCS was GOOD for you, but this? My goodness.
I am going to post a link on my blog!
Kelli´s last blog post..Cold Remedies
Nina,
People really do think your crazy ; ) I pull my hair out when I hear about what my kids eat at school for birthdays, “cooking class”, bake sales etc. when I am so careful about what she eats at home. I started a blog for just this reason, maybe hearing the same sentiment from another source will make people/moms like me feel a little less ca-ray-zay. It’s why I love this blog.
Juliet´s last blog post..The Cold Dead Hand of the Free Market
Thank you for this post. I try to read all labels carefully to ensure there is no high fructose corn syrup in what I’m purchasing/consuming due to concern about cardiovascular/metabolic health, but now this stuff is even more worrisome with mercury in it! Eeks!
Please, everyone look carefully at their food labels… this stuff is in a lot of things. The less ingredients and the more pure and natural (unaltered) the ingredients the better!
Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas´s last blog post..Beatles LOVE
Rachel, thank you so much for posting this, I am just in shock to read this. Who knows what else is poisoning us!
Laura Leigh´s last blog post..A Fave of Mine: No Time for Flashcards
This is maddening. Thanks for sharing this info. I printed the list of the brand foods and I have 7 of them in my home. Not for long.
Nancy´s last blog post..Preserving Family History
That’s it. I’ve been half serious about eliminating HFCS from my family’s diet for a while, but now I’m going full force. This is ridiculous . . . I suppose mothers’ intuitions have been telling us all along that this stuff must be toxic, but now we have the proof!
Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for bringing this to light. I cannot believe this has not been in more mainstream news, at least that I heard.
I have known in my heart for years that we need to phase out products with HFCS, but this gives me an added reason.
Taylor at Household Management 101´s last blog post..Feb 3, 7 Laundry Stain Removal Tips For Families With Children
Yikes!
I’m linking this article on my facebook account. Thanks, Rachel!
Rachel´s last blog post..BurdaStyle Corinne Yoga Pants
Please forgive me – I’m going to reveal my ignorance! Does anyone know the difference (if there is one) between corn syrup and HFCS?
I posted about this today, as well. HFCS really is just best avoided entirely. I certainly feel a lot better (and get way fewer calories) when I’m avoiding the types of processed foods that utilize HFCS.
Sally Parrott Ashbrook´s last blog post..Health, Food Allergy, & Sustainability Tidbits for You
Whoa, thanks for sharing this!
Stefanie´s last blog post..Giving Thanks
Oh goodness, I’m surprised and yet not at the same time.
Mercury seems to be in everything else- why not in foods with HFCS?
Fortunately, my family doesn’t eat any of the foods on the list and we try to completely avoid HFCS. Thank you for this info, though. I will pass this along on my blog!
This is interesting. Just recently I noticed some advertisements by th Corn Refiners Association in magazines and also on TV touting a new website, http://www.sweetsurprise.com, which is supposed to let us know the “Real facts” about HFCS; that it is safe as table sugar and nutritionally the same as table sugar. I wondered then what caused them to speak up. Seems they were anticipating this study and wanted to get their voices heard first.
Sarah´s last blog post..The New Me
nice (insert sarcasm). sigh.
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
nicola´s last blog post..love:: 1
OMG-amazing. I have 2 of the above products in my fridge (not anymore). Thanks for making me more aware of what I am feeding my children. Amazing!
~Corinne
corinne Britt´s last blog post..Before & After And A Request
coke WOULD have to be on the list, dangit. and nutrigrain bars–with 2 kids, we go through a box a week. there may be a mutiny when i present this information to my family…
chelsea´s last blog post..Preparing For Emergencies
This is such a great post, (I linked to it today.) Makes me a bit weak in the knees, but does not surprise me sadly. Just recently found your blog and love it. You have so much really great useful information!
Cindy´s last blog post..Greed
Wow! Am I ever glad that we don’t eat much processed food at all! I have know for a while that HFCS is scary stuff, but what is really scary about this is the cavalier attitudes of those in the so-called “food” industry. Micheal Pollen was so right – if your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize it as “food” – don’t eat it!
Thanks for posting this Rachel!
Jen´s last blog post..Fix, Freeze, Feast and Toddler Firsts
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090127/mercury-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup
This article on WebMD has a very different set of information regarding the study and it’s results.
I feel so betrayed….we need more regulation in the FDA.
Alycia in Virginia´s last blog post..I’m a Joan…
Dr. David Wallinga responds to FAQs about high fructose corn syrup and mercury:
http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=105091
Taylor,
If your wondering why this kind of information doesn’t make it on to the nightly news, just look where their advertising comes from and who owns them.
Also, Kraft (smuckers) is owned by Altria (Phillip Morris) if that gives you any idea where their morals stand.
Juliet´s last blog post..Ignorance
This is an important report, thank you for sharing. However, this report has many faults. HFCS has many other reasons why we should stay away from it but it is unclear if mercury is one of them.
http://www.beyondprenatals.com/2009/02/recent-food-news-bpa-peanut-butter-high.html
BeyondPrenatals´s last blog post..Recent Food News: High Fructose Corn Syrup, BPA, Peanut Butter
thanks for sharing!! i’m so glad to be in the know.
HFCS is hard to avoid. We try but sometimes I just forget to look. It’s nuts. Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemna will open your eyes about food and CORN in particular and how it has permeated nearly every aspect of our daily life. You might not thing a book about CORN would be very engaging but he’s a great writer and I’ve read almost everything he’s written now. Check him out.
Lisa´s last blog post..Angry Snow Girl
Because I’m a hopeless nut case, I’ve avoided HFCS for as long as I can remember, just on general principles. Thanks, but I’d rather have my sugar as sucrose.
@ Colin, who writes, “So while it’s bad to have mercury in your products on shelves you can’t complain too much when your drinking water may have 10-100 times as much mercury in it. That’s the same water you bath, drink, wash, and cook in so your overall exposure to that mercury is higher.”
You bet I can complain. If that much mercury is in my water (which granted, I don’t like at all), why on earth would I want to consume still MORE of the stuff in everyday foods and beverages? We have to drink water, wash our clothes, and bathe. But we sure as heck don’t have to drink Coca Cola.
Funny about Money´s last blog post..And did I mention we were through the looking glass?
A great source of information on the foods our children eat; especially in school is http://www.angrymoms.org. They have put together a very educational DVD.
Oh my goodness. Some people will not stop in order to make profit.
Wait, it gets better!
http://lamarguerite.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/the-big-risk-of-insanely-small-nanoparticles-in-our-food/
Don’t miss the wee checklist at the end.
Juliet´s last blog post..Ignorance
Ugh! That’s why I recommend to buy also processed foods organic. and less of them, of course.
Hi Ruth Ann,
My google alert picked up this great blog.
Corn syrup is 100% dextrose, which is glucose derived from corn.
It’s been around for awhile. Karo syrup=corn syrup=100% glucose. HFCS is a blend of fructose and glucose. Glucose is
prepared from corn startch and coverted (isomerized, the chemical bonds are broken and reformed) to fructose. The ratio of the fructose:glucose varies. In beverages it is HFCS-55, which means that it is composed of 55%fructose:45% glucose. In dairy products the %fructose is lower, in baked and frozen products
the %fructose may be higher. Although the CRA hawks that HFCS is metabolically the same as sucrose, table sugar, there is at least
one major difference. Sucrose is a disacharide which means that
the fructose and glucose sugars are linked. We have an enzyme in
our gut, sucrase, that breaks down sucrose into its component sugars. Sucrase also functions as a regulating enzyme, adjusting the breakdown of sucrose according to the body’s need. HFCS is only a mixture of fructose and glucose. The component sugars are
delivered directly to the blood stream without regulatory control.
Ditch HFCS. StopHFCS.com has a great list of HFCS-free foods.
Take care.
Wow, thank you so much for posting this and including your research. I had never heard about the mercury-HFCS connection. Shocking! I avoid artificial ingredients, including HFCS, but the recent marketing about it being as safe as sugar caused me to wonder if I was overreacting. Guess not!
Dee Wilcox´s last blog post..How to Be an Innovator, Part 6
We wonder why there has not been a cure for cancer& other
diseases & seems logical that it’s because there are so many chemicals that are harmful in our food & water and the FDA only
is another governmental farce .We have to be our own advocates
in this matter & health issues that affect all of us.
Hey, what happened to the ‘See the complete list of foods tested’ link? I click on it & am taken to a blank page! Has the HFCS industry sabotaged your site? Or is it just a coincidence that the most important consumer info on this site (& most damning to the industry) is mysteriously unavailable? Somebody fix this quick. I’m dying (no pun intended) of curiosity. A thousand ‘thank yous’ to ’smallnotebook.org’ for posting this info. What an incalculably important public service. God bless you all!
WHAT A GREAT SITE!