What do a conventional bottle of ketchup, canned soup, box of cereal, soda, and even some white breads all have in common? (Hint: check the ingredient label). They all contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
HFCS did not even exist until about forty years ago. Invented in a lab, it was slowly added to just about everything in our food system because it was cheaper than sugar, and capable of extending the shelf life of processed foods. As a result, Americans now eat about 80 pounds per year! Compare that to the 20 pounds we were consuming in the 1980s. This extra consumption attributes to about an extra 523 extra calories (76 of those being from HFCS) per day!
Well, so what?! High fructose corn syrup is natural, isn’t it? Don’t believe everything you read. See below:
The Corn Refiners Association targets you with its persuasive ad campaign, and they may have been able to convince the FDA that HFCS is “natural,” but don’t let all the behind-the-door politics fool you!
High fructose corn syrup is derived from cornstarch, but it is treated with an enzyme that removes the glucose and then, the glucose is treated with another enzyme that turns half of the sugars into fructose. Chemicals are necessary to process the corn starch into a combination fructose and glucose. Two of these chemicals can offer trace quantities of mercury. Last January, mercury was found in almost half of all samples of HFCS. Yikes. A natural process would probably not leave you with a harmful chemical that can cause brain and kidney damage.
Good thing HFCS is on Earth Fare’s boot list. Yep, we banned it. That means we are HFCS-free…are you?
8 years ago I was diagnosed with prediabetes. My physician said to severly limit high fructose corn syrup and refined carbohydrates. Was I ever surprised to see everything HFCS is added to. I actually cried in the grocery store that day. I am thankful to have your store in Chattanooga. I do not have to read your labels for HFCS. Thank you
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Shandry Bullock
December 9th, 2009 at 2:46 pmpermalink
A few months ago, a friend of mine told me that High Fructose has mercury in it. From that time on I’ve been looking at all the ingredients in the stuff I was eating.
WOW! It’s crazy how much of it is out there. Since then
I’ve been eating more naturally. Although I have been a
vegeterian for a long time, I am just now finding out about
other health tips that I knew nothing about.
Thanks for selling NONE of those products.
Sincerely,
Rhonda L. Kurihara
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Rhonda Kurihara
December 9th, 2009 at 3:58 pmpermalink
Thanks so much for the wonderful information. We are constantly looking at the labels and appreciate all the hard work Earth Fare puts into keeping us customers healthy and therefore happy.
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Danelle Drake
December 13th, 2009 at 7:12 pmpermalink
Shandry: It’s incredible how many foods contain HFCS – even foods you would not imagine! We are glad we are able to save you time and energy of reading all those ingredient labels with chemicals and preservatives. We hope you are seeing improvements in your health.
Rhonda: Yea, mercury! How crazy. Congratulations to you for being pro-active and seeking out ways to live a better lifestyle. It can get tough when the foods sold at conventional grocery stores contain harmful ingredients, but we make sure to make it easy for you!
Danelle: Thank you for letting us make healthy living easy for you! We will always provide educational information so that our readers lead healthy lives. Stay posted.
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earthfare
December 17th, 2009 at 10:26 ampermalink
I purchased some jello the other day, I thought this would be a low calorie snack and yes it also has HFCS, also I’m not an oatmeal eater so I saw these oatmeal to go, guess whats the first ingredient, yes HFCS. I had to get a pair of glasses, ditch my readers so I could read all these ingredient label. Keep sending us info, this is a great site.
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sandy holt
February 7th, 2010 at 3:52 pmpermalink
[...] consumption – Remember those 2L cups? Since high fructose corn syrup is everywhere, and is the main sweetener in soda, Americans are consuming 22 teaspoons, or 355 calories of extra [...]
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Tomato Talk » Blog Archive » Could That Beverage Be Causing Weight Gain?
February 10th, 2010 at 6:31 pmpermalink
[...] he booted artificial colors! Frosted Flakes, also highly marketed on TV and internet, contains high fructose corn syrup, which is NOT natural, and has been linked to [...]
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Tomato Talk » Blog Archive » Is Food Marketing to Children Harmful?
March 16th, 2010 at 6:52 pmpermalink