by Primavera Richeson
Staff Contributor
Last week the Corn Refiners Association made a move with the FDA to change the name of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to “corn sugar”. The name change is an effort to shake off the bad reputation that HFCS has developed over the last few years in its association with the rise in obesity that can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease (www.mayoclinic.com).
It is becoming common knowledge that HFCS is not good for our health, but if the name changes will people be as reluctant to purchase and consume a product that is high in calories, but low in nutritional value? We, as public health workers and health educators, need to know the power of labeling and wording. It could take up to two years for this name change to pass and if it does we need to know that “corn sugar” is code for HFCS. We need to educate individuals and our communities that that food industry is not necessarily concerned about their health, but is concerned about putting the hard earned dollars of the consumer into their deep pockets.
As consumers, we have a right to know what is in our food and other products that we consume and use. We also have a responsibility to stay informed and educated. So, read your food labels, learn about how and where your food comes from, and eat your corn from the cob, not in the form of HFCS or “corn sugar”.
For more information about HFCS and its potential cause of obesity visit www.princeton.edu and click on their study on HFCS in rats. For info about labeling in regards to GMO and cloning visit www.foodandwaterwatch.com, www.medicalnewstoday.com and www.centerforfoodsafety.org.
It is becoming common knowledge that HFCS is not good for our health, but if the name changes will people be as reluctant to purchase and consume a product that is high in calories, but low in nutritional value? We, as public health workers and health educators, need to know the power of labeling and wording. It could take up to two years for this name change to pass and if it does we need to know that “corn sugar” is code for HFCS. We need to educate individuals and our communities that that food industry is not necessarily concerned about their health, but is concerned about putting the hard earned dollars of the consumer into their deep pockets.
As consumers, we have a right to know what is in our food and other products that we consume and use. We also have a responsibility to stay informed and educated. So, read your food labels, learn about how and where your food comes from, and eat your corn from the cob, not in the form of HFCS or “corn sugar”.
For more information about HFCS and its potential cause of obesity visit www.princeton.edu and click on their study on HFCS in rats. For info about labeling in regards to GMO and cloning visit www.foodandwaterwatch.com, www.medicalnewstoday.com and www.centerforfoodsafety.org.
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