High Fructose Corn Syrup Peter Holmes
Overview Chemical Structure History Industry Process Economics HFCS in the news Conclusion
Chemical Structure
Types of HFCS HFCS 55 HFCS 42 HFCS 90 In soft drinks Used in baking goods, cereals, etc HFCS 90
History First introduced in 1960s Comparable sweetness to sucrose Added stability Safety not brought into question until the 1980s
Metabolism Digested in the same way as sucrose HFCS provides 4 calories (17 kilojoules) per gram or 16 calories per teaspoon. (same as sucrose)
Industry Process
Refinery
Economics Sugar is more expensive in the US Result of tariffs and lobbying from corn industry in 1970s Corn is very abundant in united states Syrup easier to transport and is more stable
Why is HFCS in the news? Harmful to humans? Possible links to obesity
HFCS in news 2004 - Obesity study by American Society for Chemical Nutrition, Fast Food Nation 2010 – USC reports soft drinks have “megadoses” of fructose
Caloric intake
Corn Sugar September 2010, the Corn Refiners Association petitioned the FDA to allow it to call HFCS corn sugar May 2012, FDA rejects petition-sugar is a crystalline solid
Lawsuits Sept 5 2012, ADM, Cargill & Tate and Lyle sue Sugar Association for defamation "The bottom line is it (high fructose corn syrup) is not a natural product. It is something that is synthesized," he said. "It is not the same thing as real sugar.“-Attorney for sugar group
Sugar Refinery
Conclusion HFCS is not responsible for the growing obesity in the US HFCS is a cheap, safe substitute for cane and beet sugar
Questions?