Here on Tomato Talk, you have heard us talk a lot about the harmful effects of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). We don’t just talk the talk though. Did you know Earth Fare, the healthy supermarket, was the first major supermarket chain to BOOT HFCS?
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Now, other major food producers are following suit. Say goodbye to HFCS in these products:
- Hunt’s Ketchup (if Hunt’s can, why can’t Heinz?)
- Starbucks Baked Goods
- Gatorade
- Wheat Thin Crackers
From the short list above – a condiment, beverage and crackers – it’s clear that HFCS has invaded a lot of our processed foods!
Why is this so bad? HFCS is NOT natural! No matter what the Corn Refiners Association advertisements say, it’s not! It was created in a lab via chemical processes, and introduced into foods forty years ago.
It’s used because it’s cheaper than real sugar, but is it really worth all the harmful health costs? HFCS has been linked to the obesity epidemic – it could cause insulin and leptin resistance. Insulin resistant means the human body does not respond to sugars correctly, and as a result, blood glucose levels can rise. Leptin resistance means the body does not recognize when it’s full.
Have you booted HFCS? Have you noticed a difference? Tell us your story.
Heinz does have a HFCS-free ketchup! It is call Simply Heinz!
Also Arnold Bread is a great brand of breads that do not use HFCS!
Kia Veltkamp
June 15th, 2010 at 11:11 ampermalink
I think it is odd that soda manufacturers use real can sugar in their product that is sold in other countries but HFCS in the US
Jen B
June 15th, 2010 at 12:16 pmpermalink
Well … this is one of the main reasons I adore Earth Fare … I don’t have to read labels to be sure harmful ingredients aren’t included because you do the hard work for us! I really appreciate your ethics … Earth Fare proves that a retailer can be successful while at the same time being Eco- and Health-conscious.
Thank you!
Small Footprints
June 15th, 2010 at 12:17 pmpermalink
I’ve noticed it in a lot of products! And sometimes it even says HFCS and corn syrup too! Why, both? Its about the money, its cheap, and not about the people.
Amanda
June 15th, 2010 at 2:25 pmpermalink
I am glad to see some manufacturers are following suit in the banning of HFCS- now if we can just encourage restaurant owners to become label readers, too!
Hollie
June 16th, 2010 at 1:05 pmpermalink
Thanks for caring and sharing the good news about eating healthy. Thanks for being there and looking out for the health conscious folks because it feels good to know that you can eat healthy again!
Mattie
June 17th, 2010 at 8:41 pmpermalink
I have suffered with severe acne for years. 20 years. It started when I was 11 and it finally ended now, at age 31. What’s the difference? I cut out HFCS! It’s not food. It’s poison to our bodies, and my face is proof.
Amanda
June 17th, 2010 at 11:23 pmpermalink
Thanks everyone for weighing in! We agree with you guys — we don’t need HFCS, and it’s not doing us any good! Glad to hear you’re all joining us on the Health Journey
earthfare
June 18th, 2010 at 4:40 pmpermalink
All I know is that if I eat too much REAL sugar, I feel sick; but I never get that feeling with HFCS – that in itself convinced me to keep the heck away from the stuff. My body doesn’t recognize that chemical compound as food and won’t give me the “stop” signal when I’m eating it. Dangerous!
Lauren
June 21st, 2010 at 4:11 pmpermalink
@Lauren! Exactly! High Fructose Corn Syrup gets in the way of your body’s signals to your brain and can be VERY dangerous!
earthfare
June 21st, 2010 at 4:41 pmpermalink
Kia is right about Heinz making HCFS-free ketchup.
Heinz makes 2 versions of their ketchup without HCFS: Simply Heinz Ketchup and Organic Heinz Ketchup.
Both are made with sugar and not HCFS.
Our family LOVES the Organic Heinz Ketchup. It tastes just like the originial with a slightly brighter taste. We love original Heinz ketchup, but we love the taste of the organic version even more! And it is organic and HFCS-free!
Anne
June 24th, 2010 at 9:54 ampermalink
According to Michael Pollan:
It takes 10 calories of fossil fuel to make 1 calorie of corn starch.
Cornstarch is the first step on the way to making corn syrup.
The government subsidizes “high-fructose corn syrup in this
country, but not carrots”.
W. Taylor
June 24th, 2010 at 2:11 pmpermalink