American Medical Association High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is an artificial sweetener derived from cornstarch. Through processing, cornstarch is transformed into glucose and other short polymers of glucose, which are then enzymatically converted to fructose. It is biochemically similar to sugar, and is used in a wide variety of foods as both a sweetener and preservative; however, a perceived parallel in the rise of obesity and HFCS consumption prompted the American Medical Association, or AMA, to examine it in the hope of determining its safety as an additive and its nutritional value.

The AMA Stance on High Fructose Corn Syrup

The American Medical Association issued several directives at its 2008 Annual Meeting to address some common questions and concerns over the use of high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. At that time, they acknowledged that few studies had evaluated the differences between HFCS and other sweeteners in terms of their potential to cause or aggravate health conditions such as obesity. They found insufficient evidence to limit or regulate the sweetener's use, or to require warning labels, but they did encourage further independent research on its health effects. They also recommended that consumers limit their intakes of all caloric sweeteners, including HFCS, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Public Perception of HFCS

Health conscious consumers tend to avoid ingredients and additives with known adverse health effects. These include trans fats, saturated fats, MSG and, despite the AMA's lack of negative findings, high fructose corn syrup. The public perception that HFCS is as unhealthy as other additives may have several causes. Being that it is synthetic, as opposed to its organic counterparts such as natural sugar, often causes concern. As other artificial sweeteners like saccharine and aspartame have demonstrated unhealthy side effects, an assumption that all artificial sweeteners pose health risks is plausible. In general, however, consumers may find it difficult to put a finger on just what they think is unhealthy about it. One consumer, in an interview by Melanie Warner of The New York Times (July 2, 2006), admitted that she was not familiar with a specific link between HFCS and any health problems, but she felt it was unhealthy because it was not natural. She also noted that she believed it has been linked to obesity.

HFCS, Sugar and Obesity

As of 2008, the AMA and other health organizations agreed that HFCS had not demonstrated any more danger of obesity than other caloric sweeteners. When used in moderation, it does not pose significant risks, but HFCS is used as both a sweetener and a preservative in a broad range of foods. This includes otherwise healthy foods, such as yogurt, and foods that you may not typically associate with sweeteners, such as bread. Even children's vitamins often contain this sweetener, and its general ubiquity in processed foods can make moderation difficult. Americans unwittingly consumed nearly 60 lbs. per capita in 2006, reports Lisa McLaughlin in Time Magazine (Sept. 17, 2008).

The Corn Refiners Association and Corn Syrup's Public Image

In 2008, the Corn Refiners Association, or CRA, launched an advertising campaign to improve the public perception of HFCS. The campaign featured television ads that reminded viewers that HFCS is made from corn, that it contains roughly the same calories as sugar, and that it does not contain artificial ingredients. These ads repeated the AMA's findings that consumption in moderation is not linked to health concerns. However, the ads noted neither the prevalence of HFCS in processed food nor the relative difficulty you may have trying to avoid it; they also did not specify what constitutes a safe or moderate consumption level.