High Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury
How much should we really trust the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) industry? While the FDA does not currently regulate corn fructose use in foods, perhaps it should. Not just for the side effects it has from massive consumption, but for its actual production and distribution process.
In January 2009, the Washington Post published a article entitled Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury. From the article: “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, the element, not the planet, and most of its compounds are extremely toxic and are generally handled with care. Mercury can cause both chronic (long term exposure) and acute (instant) poisoning. It can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, so containers of mercury are securely sealed to avoid spills and evaporation. The most toxic forms of mercury are its organic compounds, such as dimethlymercury and methylmercury. However, inorganic compounds, such as cinnabar are also highly toxic by ingestion or inhalation of the dust. [source Wikipedia]
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), a non-profit watchdog group, found that nearly one in three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury.
Two separate studies cited in the article found mercury in 20 different samples of commercial glucose/fructose syrup (HFCS). Of course the Corn Refiners Association dispute the study saying: “This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance,” said Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, in a statement. “Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years. These mercury-free re-agents perform important functions, including adjusting pH balances.”
According to the article, however, the IATP says that four plants in Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia still use “mercury-cell” technology that can lead to contamination and that 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.
Probably the most shocking tidbit from the article: “The bad news is that nobody knows whether or not their soda or snack food contains HFCS made from ingredients like caustic soda contaminated with mercury.”
Who do you trust?
’)
2 Comments to “High Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury”
Leave a Reply
Fructose that occurs naturally in fruit has not been found to be harmful. Eco Friendly
That’s correct. Fruits do contain fructose. However, if humans were to eat as much natural fruit as they could possible eat, the amount of fructose (which is combined with the fiber in fruit) would be dwarfed by the amount consumed in soft drinks, candies, and processed foods. So eat as much fruit as you want.