As an aside, less than 5% of the US corn harvest is consumed by this product (which is hardly an "essential" food).
It isn’t a large portion of the total corn market, but to take it away or significantly raise its price would have an affect on the food market.
Also, over half the US corn production is used in the US food supply chain.
Reference: http://api.org/aboutoilgas/upload/Energizing_America_Facts.pdf
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