High Fructose Corn Syrup Mercury Warning!

Much High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated With Mercury, New Study Finds

Brand-Name Food Products Also Discovered to Contain Mercury

Minneapolis – Mercury was found in nearly 50 percent of tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), according to a new article published today in the scientific journal, Environmental Health. A separate study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) detected mercury in nearly one-third of 55 popular brandname food and beverage products where HFCS is the first or second highest labeled ingredient—including products by Quaker, Hershey's, Kraft and Smucker's. HFCS use has skyrocketed in recent decades as the sweetener has replaced sugar in many processed foods.

"Just published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal,Environmental Health, is the bombshell that
commercial HFCS appears to be routinely contaminated with mercury. It turns out the contamination
isn't so much accidental as newly recognized, given the fact that much HFCS has been made
and continues to be made using 'mercury-grade' caustic soda."

HFCS is found in sweetened beverages, breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS. Consumption by teenagers and other high consumers can be up to 80 percent above average levels.

"While the FDA
had evidence that commercial HFCS was contaminated with mercury four years ago,
the agency did not inform consumers, help change industry practice or conduct additional
testing."

“Mercury is toxic in all its forms,” said IATP's David Wallinga, M.D., and a co-author in both studies. “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 FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply.”
Click here to learn more
Click here for IATP site
Click here for Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy report, "Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup"