A new study has revealed that High Fructose Corn Syrup contains mercury. 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.
Given how prevalent HFCS is in the types of processed foods that children routinely eat, the small amounts of mercury that are found in HFCS might pose a threat to them that has never before been considered. Seriously? Mercury? This is what we have to worry about now?
We all know that HFCS is not good for us nutritionally, despite what the corn growers association tells us in their Sweet Surprise! campaign. But now we have even more reason to try and avoid it.
Anyone else feel like our generation of children have become guinea pigs for the food industry?
yuck it makes you want to check what they eat and drink. its sad companies put that bad stuff in the food and drinks. honestlyfind alternatives to put in food and liquid products
Comment by crystal — February 3, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
As if the stuff wasn’t bad enough already. We have switched to organic fruit snacks with our kids. the only difference is that is is not neon red blue or green, but dark red or purple. When my kids first looked at the fruitabu fruit roll, they thought it “looked yucky”. I asked them what color strawberries and grapes are when we mash them – they don’t turn neon guys! Once they tried it, they realized it was actually really good. Now they even go for mango and pinapple. since it is in a roll, it is a familiar fun shape for them – but with no additives, preservatives, chemicals, or mercury.
It’s amazing how you can find decent alternatives to today’s “junk food” when you look for them.
Comment by Claire — February 10, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
For those of you that don’t know you do need a small amount of mercury in your diet and you can get some in the fish you eat. A small amount will not kill you.
Comment by Katie — February 11, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
Children seem to eat more junk food than real food. Some people think fruit snacks are in the fruit food group! I do not give my 7 year old processed food. Since I cut out processed foods, she listens better, is happier, even tempered and is able to focus better.
Comment by Naomi — February 18, 2009 @ 12:27 am
I just read an article recently on processed foods made with HFCS containing levels of mercury. I was appauled! The amount of mercury that is safe for consumption would be found in foods like fish and are recommended to be taken in small weekly portions. There are a large number of processed foods that have been found to contain mercury contaminated HFCS. It is a processing issue and can be resolved. Just about every common processed product was found to contain mercury. A daily intake of mercury cannot be healthy. Products such as Mamwich, Quaker Oatmeal, Smucker’s Jelly, Heshery’s Chocolate Syrup, Nesquik, Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt. All things that you would think are realtively healthy! The worst part is that the FDA has known about this since 2004! The full article can be read here http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=105026
Comment by Michelle — February 19, 2009 @ 7:36 pm