Oh no they Di'in't

Ok, so I was watching TV today, and this ad came on:

I swear to you, my jaw almost hit the floor.  And there are more like it! 

In case your computer is working, or you just didn't get the gist, the Corn Refiners Association have started an ad campaign promoting high fructose corn syrup.  

The first woman says, "Don't you know what they say about high fructose corn syrup?"

And the second woman says, "No- what?"

And the first woman says, "Ummm..."

And the second woman says (the clincher), "That it's made from corn, has the same amount of calories as table sugar, and like sugar is ok in moderation."

Then there is a link for this website  

Where, oh where do I begin?  Let's start by analyzing the facts that the campaign has stated.

1.  It's made from corn.  The website I listed also says that high fructose corn syrup is natural.  Well, they must be paying the FDA  ton of money to alter their definition of the term natural, because I don't know how they can get away with this.  Yes, it is made from corn.  Genetically modified corn with inedible kernels, I'm not lying.  These kernels are broken down until they are made into corn starch, then chemicals and enzymes are added, and then manufacturers process the living daylights out of it and you have corn syrup.  Mmmm, very natural.

2. It has the same amount of calories as sugar.  Oh, but bleach has less, so maybe you should eat that instead, hmm?  I am not going to blame the obesity epidemic solely on high fructose corn syrup, but studies have shown direct correlation between the rise of obesity and the growing popularity of high fructose corn syrup.

3. Like sugar, it's ok in moderation. Like lead paint and mercury, it's ok in moderation! EXCEPT YOU CAN'T GET IT IN MODERATION!!! Unless you shop at a natural foods store, look at the ingredients on the back of your cereal, bread, chips, juice drinks, spaghetti sauce, pancake syrup, salad dressings, ketchup, peanut butter, jellies, beans, yogurts, and- lest we forget- desserts and sodas.  

Here are other important facts to note about high fructose corn syrup:

-Why is it in everything? Because it's cheap! Why is it cheap? Because the government subsidizes it! Why does the government subsidize it? Because during the depression and post WWII, cane and beet sugars were too expensive.  Why haven't they stopped? Because the big businesses like McDonalds and Pepsi need more money! ....?

-The US is nearly the ONLY country in the WORLD that allows it into our food, along with cloned meats.  Thanks, for lookin' out for us, FDA!

-Do not be fooled.  Your body reacts very differently to high fructose corn syrup than it does to table sugar.  And really, that is the most important thing to remember about all this.  Here is a very long winded, but well researched paper, that I suggest you read if you ever have the time, about exactly what it does in your body besides make you fat.

I do have one positive thought out of all this: It makes me kind of glad to see an ad campaign in this manner, because it shows that there is a need for it.  It shows that people are wising up and the CRA is losing business, and that for the first time in 70 years they need to advertise.  

Lastly, if you have never seen the movie "King Corn", I suggest you watch.  Interesting food for thought....