The Corn Refiners’ Association wants to pull the old switcheroo on the American public by changing the name of high-fructose corn syrup to “corn sugar.” In doing so, it even claims that Marion Nestle is in favor of the change.
But Marion Nestle is actually against the proposed name change! Here is the note she sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
“The FDA should deny the Corn Refiners petition to change the name of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to corn sugar.
I understand that the Corn Refiners Association uses my comments on its website to support its position. The website quotes comments I have made to the effect that HFCS is biochemically equivalent to sucrose. It is. But I do not believe that biochemical equivalence is a good reason for the FDA to agree to a name change at this point.
It is highly unlikely that public misunderstanding of nutritional biochemistry and the differential physiological effects of glucose vs. fructose will be addressed and corrected by changing the name of HFCS to corn sugar.
Therefore, the name change is not in the public interest. Its only purpose is to further the commercial interests of members of the Corn Refiners, and that is not one the FDA should be concerned about.”
Follow the instructions in her post if you wish to make your opinion known by the FDA.