Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury

HealthDay News ^ | 26 Jan 2009 | HealthDay News

[BGHater]

Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.

In the first study, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. The study was published in current issue of Environmental Health.

In the second study, the agriculture group found that nearly one in three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury. The chemical was most common in HFCS-containing dairy products, dressings and condiments.

The use of mercury-contaminated caustic soda in the production of HFCS is common. The contamination occurs when mercury cells are used to produce caustic soda.

[usconservative]

Hysteria. Don't fall for it.

30 to 300 parts per trillion. The standard for drinking water is 2,000 parts per trillion.

Given kids today drink more soda/fruit juice/sport drinks that contain HFCS than they do water, I don't think the 'hysteria' is completely overblown.

Mercury in trace amounts causes behavioral problems and ADD from what I've read in the past. I wonder if HFCS consumed in soda, fruit juice, sports drinks and the rest of what these kids drink today may be a bigger cause of learning problems and behavoiral issues than previously thought.

[NCLaw441]

I wonder how mercury content in HFCS compares to mercury content in other commonly found food ingredients. Also, 30 to 300 parts per trillion, a 1000% variable. What % of samples was 30 parts and what % was 300?

Why do I keep thinking of Alar as I read these posts?

[Ditter]

I am very allergic to all corn products and it is very hard to avoid them, so I shop mostly at Whole Foods. Not for the “organics” but because most items have no corn syrup and no MSG. They do use maltodextrin in some baked goods, it is a flavor enhancer made from corn, I can tell when I have eaten it because my throat gets tight. Corn in other forms gives me a headache.

[stillonaroll]

...not so. I’m as conservative as they come, but I go to “Whole Foods” and other Marxist hang outs to get HFCS free foods. You pay more, but it tastes better and IS better for you...

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Trader Joe's is similar, but with lower prices and slightly less leftist mojo.

I recall reading how HFCS somehow keeps you from feeling full as quickly, so you end up eating more than you otherwise would.

[stillonaroll]

Why don't they go back to, you know, using sugar?

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Follow the money. HFCS is cheaper than sugar.

[stillonaroll]

...Archer-Daniels Midland slathers a lot of congressional pockets to keep tariffs high on cane sugar, though...

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Over the years, they have also bought off the TV networks, running incessant ads on the Sunday morning news talk shows. General Electric has done the same.

[Richard Kimball]

I always wondered why they ran those ads. They’re not like Corn Flakes or the Shamwow. Nobody’s going to buy Archer-Daniels Midland products because of a commercial and they’re not a retailer. Your explanation makes a lot of sense. I’ve always suspected the same of Intel commercials in PC magazines. Not that many people even know what processor is in their computer, but it sure does make it more likely that the magazine will give your company good reviews.

[mysterio]

Given kids today drink more soda/fruit juice/sport drinks that contain HFCS than they do water

According to the stats, they would be getting less mercury from the HFCS than the water.

Do I like HFCS? Not really. I prefer real cane sugar. But is HFCS going to give anyone mercury poisoning? No. The article is hyperbole designed to breed fear and sell papers.

[SunkenCiv]

Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies... "Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.

It's used in low-fat products such as LF salad dressings, and isn't defined as sugar, nice trick, eh?

[justiceseeker93]

...isn't defined as sugar...

But it's included in the sugar content on the "nutritional information" panel.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thank you for the ping.

Interesting the things they can find to put in our food.

[count-your-change]

The article is utter drivel. One cubic MILE of water contains one trillion gallons. One food with the highest level of mercury had 350 ppt or the equivalent of 350 gallons of mercury in a cubic mile of water.

Utter drivel!