FDA rules that foods with HFCS can be labeled "natural"

[brittone2]

FDA letter here:
http://www.corn.org/FDAdecision7-7-08.pdf

Blech.
:hopmad:

Industry has so much influence.

[tylersmama]

:thumbsdown:

How frustrating.

And, yeah, HFCS is sooooo natural...:banghead:

Blech.

[SnuggleBuggles]

What a load of crap (both the HFCS and the decision). :(

Beth

[Drag0nflygirl]

:shake: Just gross.

[JTsMom]

:32: Disgusting.

[lisams]

Score for the corn industry. Loss for the consumers. It really gets to me that big industries and their big money have so much influence over government regulations. Another example of our health not being the top priority. And we're supposed to trust them, NOT!

I stocked up on what I thought was healthy cereal at my local grocery store since they had a huge sale and I brought it home to find out they all have HFCS. Raisin Bran, come on! I should have known better and read the labels while I was there.

[twindad]

So disappointing!!

[ThreeofUs]

Score for the corn industry. Loss for the consumers. It really gets to me that big industries and their big money have so much influence over government regulations.

:yeahthat: Though I'm betting that all the sugar producers would be in trouble, too, if the FDA decided that HCFS wasn't natural. From their point of view, it's a slippery slope.

From my point of view, YUCK.

[niccig]

Score for the corn industry. Loss for the consumers. It really gets to me that big industries and their big money have so much influence over government regulations. Another example of our health not being the top priority. And we're supposed to trust them, NOT!


I told DH I was getting natural products for cleaning, and for our bath products. He scoffed and told me that the chemicals have been used for years and they wouldn't be in the products if they were really unsafe. I asked if he truly believed that the government had our best interests and health as their top priority - he couldn't give me an answer. This is another example to show him. Money and lobbying wins out, health looses because it's not profitable.

[brittone2]

FWIW, I've also read that the corn/food products industry is about to start a huge PR campaign drumming up how HFCS is just as "natural" as honey, etc. and poses no health concerns. Get ready for the media blitz in coming months. :32:

[elliput]

FWIW, I've also read that the corn/food products industry is about to start a huge PR campaign drumming up how HFCS is just as "natural" as honey, etc. and poses no health concerns. Get ready for the media blitz in coming months. :32:

Yeah, large mechanical processing facilities look so much like bees. I get the two confused all the time. :rolleye0014:

[cvanbrunt]

I taught a winter term course once about food in this country. I used Eric Schlosser's fabulous "Fast Food Nation" and this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Land-Americans-Became-Fattest/dp/0618164723

which nicely describes the history of how HFCS came to be in the US. It is a really interesting and a quick read. I highly recommend both books if this is a topic that interests you.

[caheinz]

Yeah, large mechanical processing facilities look so much like bees. I get the two confused all the time. :rolleye0014:

:ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:

Hmmm... maybe that explains what was happening to all of the honeybees last year... wouldn't want any competition, you know?

[writermama]

FWIW, I've also read that the corn/food products industry is about to start a huge PR campaign drumming up how HFCS is just as "natural" as honey

Well, I suppose from their point of view, it's not SUPERnatural, so it must be natural.

"Natural" has long been pretty much meaningless as far as labeling regulations are concerned, but this is still a disappointing decision.

[icunurse]

Slightly off-topic FYI -- I just read in Vegetarian times (last month's issue) that American Crystal Co will be getting sugar from sugar beets designed to withstand Roundup. The Organic Consumers Association said that since sugar beets account for 1/2 of the nations granulated sugar production, genetically engineered products will soon be in just about every non-organic, multiple ingredient product.

So, no sugar, no HFCS, no artificial sweeteners....I better start saving those bees! :)

[brittone2]

Well, I suppose from their point of view, it's not SUPERnatural, so it must be natural.

"Natural" has long been pretty much meaningless as far as labeling regulations are concerned, but this is still a disappointing decision.


I agree. I've never really put weight into the "natural" label anyway, but I guess I'm just saddened by the FDA being so driven by industry. It isn't a shocker, but it saddens me.

A few months ago they were saying HFCS was not natural and they've since reversed course. I'm sure money played no part at all :32: in their reversal.

[kijip]

So I can eat Skittles and call them natural? Rock on.

:32:

Crazy decision.

[mudder17]

Yeah, large mechanical processing facilities look so much like bees. I get the two confused all the time. :rolleye0014:

:hysterical:

I admit, when I see the "natural" label on foods, I will take a look. But the first thing I do when I take a look at it is to look at the label. Sigh.