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Sugar, once demonized by parents and dentists alike, is back in style, this time as a selling point for food companies who want to broadcast that their products are free from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the New York Times reports. HFCS, though believed by most scientists to be the same as sugar for your health, has become a whipping boy these days.
Log Cabin syrup recently announced that they've stopped using HFCS in their syrup; Pepsi has come out with new sugar-sweetened Pepsi and Mountain Dew; ConAgra uses only sugar or honey in its Healthy Choice All Natural frozen entrees.
"The argument about which is better for you, sucrose or HFCS, is garbage. Both are equally bad for your health," says Dr. Robert H. Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco Children's Hospital.
"For consumers, perception is reality," says Jim Sieple, a senior vice president for Log Cabin syrup.
This seems like an incredibly cynical move, preying on people's misperceptions about HFCS to market products filled with equally obesity-promoting sugar as "healthy." It feels very wrong that a soda company or a frozen dinner company slaps the words "all natural" (a totally meaningless marketing phrase) on a piece of junk food to make people feel like it's wholesome.
The problem is not HFCS OR sugar, it's the fact that items like frozen dinners are larded with sweeteners to make them more appealing (I don't put sugar in my pot pie, do you?), and that we drink gallons of soda instead of water.
What do you think? Is it wrong for companies to promote sugar-sweetened foods as healthy alternatives?
[Via: New York Times]
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3-23-2009 @4:52PM robotrock said... For me the difference has nothing to do with health, but simply flavor. HFCS products have a syrupy taste and tend towards a slightly sourness I can't quite explain other than it's almost as if it dries my mouth out.
Sugar, while no better for your waist line, is loads better on the palate.
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3-23-2009 @4:56PM Rob O. said... It's a step in the right direction. Sure, they may both be bad for you, but which is the lesser of the evils?
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3-23-2009 @5:20PM Mark said... I definitely agree on flavor. Over the years it has become more and more objectionable for me.
I believe that the use of sugar over HFCS has a positive net result, simply because sugar is more expensive. It seems that most prepared foods include HFCS by default. By switching to sugar, they may use less or avoid it altogether.
I'm not normally one to avoid unhealthy foods, but frankly, I do avoid HFCS... it tastes like it's bad for you. Yea, I know it's "all natural," but so is formaldehyde.
Also, the latest pro-HFCS campaign reeks of dishonestly and misdirection. It sort of reminds me of the old cigarette advertisements... "7 out of 10 doctors who smoke choose Marlboro."
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3-23-2009 @6:29PM The Guys said... If you like Coca Cola, remember... Passover is on the way. Go to a supermarket that sells Kosher for Passover products and look for the Coke... it's sweetened with sugar, not HFCS. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.... also known as Mexican Coke...
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3-23-2009 @10:37PM Red Icculus said... As someone with blood sugar problems, I can assure you that sugar > HFCS. HFCS causes crashes while sugar can be a natural booster as long as it is managed. The occasional Mexican or Kosher coke is great for management of blood sugar!
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3-24-2009 @3:36AM Bernie B said... I'm actually excited that Log Cabin is going back to sugar. Now I can quit making my own syrup for those days when making Pancakes/French Toast.
I quit buying Kellogg cereals as they put HFCS in everything. Raisin Bran has HFCS in it. Why?
General Mills has been gladly taking my money for their cereals which contain real sugars.
There is a big problem when so many frozen entrees contain trace amounts of sugars that don't need to be there.
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3-24-2009 @11:51PM dragonet2 said... I actually complained to the group that is putting out the nasty advertisements but I'm sure I'll be ignored.
You cannot avoid HFCS unless you do not buy anything pre-prepared. It's even in things like spaghetti sauce ('xplain to me why that needs sugar???) and TV dinners that one would think didn't need any kind of sweetener. So trying to 'use it in moderation' as the commercials would say is okay is B.S.
So I read labels seriously.
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3-26-2009 @12:57PM Suzanne Martin said... While price may have been a factor in food manufacturers' sweetener choice 20 years ago, their continued use of high fructose corn syrup is based on the benefits it provides rather than its price relative to sugar. The benefits include HFCS is stable in acid systems, it extends shelf life through superior moisture control and it helps canned foods taste fresher. High fructose corn syrup also is easily transported and incorporated into recipes.
Many confuse pure "fructose" with "high fructose corn syrup." HFCS is always in combination with a roughly equivalent amount of a second sugar, glucose, and very similar to sugar in composition and number of calories per gram. Recent studies examining pure fructose have been inappropriately applied to high fructose corn syrup and have confused consumers.
No single food or ingredient is the sole cause of obesity. Too many calories and too little exercise are primary causes overweight and obesity in the United States. All food types in moderation is best for maintaining desirable body weight and good health.
Suzanne Martin, PhD, RD
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3-25-2009 @6:12PM Anton said... Some innteresting perspectives. Not sure about the taste but I do think that both have their bad points and moderation is probably key. Anyway, I thought I would post this resource. It can help you find products that contain or do not contain HFCS (or any other ingredient for that matter) to demonstrate an example i've put a link to a HFCS containing Orange Juice list:
http://foodessentials.com/compare/Juice_or_Drink_-_Orange_Juice_containing_High_Fructose_Corn_Syrup/122069/0
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5-13-2009 @5:32PM Jerry w said... I'm just guessing here, but I would be amazed if Suzanne Martin, PhD, RD is not found on the HFCS payroll in some way or form.
That stuff is an addictive poison that is in everything you see on the shelf that isn't from China, which is to say it's everywhere.
I've done my research and HFSC needs to join Cyclamates in the history of food industry sell outs, a long list of terrible things.
Jerry w
http://boskolives.wordpress.com/2009/03/08/met-me-half-way-did-they/
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