What Is High Fructose Corn Syrup? Is It Safe?
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a type of sweetener made from corn. HFCS is used to sweeten most non-diet soft drinks in the U.S. Despite its name, HFCS is generally only about half fructose. The most common forms of HFCS used in the United States contain either 42% or 55% fructose, and the remainder is mostly glucose. Fructose, glucose and sucrose are all different forms of sugar. Common table sugar is sucrose. Sucrose consists of about 50% fructose and 50% glucose. HFCS and sugar, therefore, contain very similar amounts of fructose and glucose. The FDA has approved HFCS as being a safe ingredient for use in food. In fact, the FDA based its decision in part on the substantial similarity between HFCS and sucrose (table sugar). For information about sweeteners, visit: • American Dietetic Association, Position Statement: Use of Nutritive and Non-nutritive Sweeteners. http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Nutritive1.pdf • Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatt
