I found this article in the news…
tests have found that HALF of the HFCS tested has mercury…
this is disturbing…
MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) — 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.
Though we avoid a lot of processed foods and most junk food, we avoid HFCS… we are lucky that here in Canada, sugar in most products has not been replaced by HFCS as it has in our southern neighbours…so avoiding it even if you do not eat well is still a lot easier…
I just wonder why these tests weren’t done before….
this is horrible!! we stay away from it as much as possible. thanks for the article!
First off, let me just say that I just found your blog and I heart it. It’s at the top of my fave list now.
And second? Wow. This hfcs thing scares the bejesus out of me. What else are they going to find mercury in now? And you know what the first thing I thought of is? Baby formula. Corn syrup solids are the first ingredient listed in many brands of formula…wow. I mean, you should first and foremost breastfeed first, but what about all the moms who don’t?
thanks for writing! 🙂
Ah, that’s more than a little scary. Where is the mercury coming from? That’s what i want to know…
uh, I just read the rest of the article (duh). I can’t believe they didn’t know that the soda they’re using is mercury contaminated… (or scarier, they know but have done nothing about it)
That is why derregulation NEVER works. Companies are always getting nailed for hiding/ignoring data that could hurt their profits. We will be seeing a whole lot more issues like the contaminated meat scandal now that Harper is slowly removing funding for regulatory inspectors. Screw you Harper and your derregulation efforts! I know this issue isn’t related to that but it just peeves me off.
Our government doesn’t keep us healthy at all. Read this about how they don’t even check the products coming in from other countries: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071025/WFIVE_chinafood_071027/20071027?hub=WFive
Oh, and as if HFCS wasn’t unhealthy enough as is. LOL.
The first thing I thought when I heard about this was autism. HFCS is bad enough, but jeez, mercury, too!
I was already against high fructose corn syrup before I read that article. I think it’s time to ban it in our house. I’m going to be very popular.