Well, as a corn allergic individual, I've learned that the vast majority of the time, "There's Corn in that. And there's Corn in that, too." However...I did not know that High Fructose Corn Syrup was contaminated with the heavy metal Mercury. In fact, it contains a LOT of mercury.
The Corn Refiners Association argues that they have cleaned up their act. Not only is there now no mercury in corn syrup, they now are using mercury free processing agents.
Amusing. If there never was mercury in corn syrup, why are they "now" using the mercury free versions of caustic soda and hydrochloric acid? And why has it never come out before that this "all natural sweetener" used to have mercury?
With all of the hype about corn syrup causing obesity, one would think that if there had been evidence before, even suspect, that it would have found it's way into American's ears. Unless, of course, there was a cover up. (Is this when Mel Gibson shows up at my door with "Conspiracy Theory" theme music?)
Perhaps the study was flawed? Then why was it confirmed by a second study conducted by the Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy? This one showed that around 31% of the food and beverage products that contain high fructose corn syrup which were tested (purchased straight from supermarket shelves) contained mercury. The study was limited, meant only to challenge the findings of the first study after a notable lack of response from the FDA and other consumer advocacy groups. And it proved that the first study...had some merit, after all.
But corn is good. The Corn Refiners Association is huge industry. Corn is in everything, and they are looking for ways to stick it in products that lack this miracle food. It has fiber. And it grows well in North America. Most importantly, it's government subsidized. And it has so many other potential uses, such as ethanol.
Some days, I think that's about all corn is fit for...burning. At least it will kill us slowly, and it burns cleaner than coal.
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