5 ms·

Is this why we use high fructose corn syrup everywhere?

by surfmike 17y ago

philk 17y ago
Yes. The quota system drove the price of sugar up so much that manufacturers switched to the much cheaper alternative.
- alecst 17y ago
  That's what he was asking. I think he meant "is this the only reason why we use high fructose corn syrup everywhere" to which I think the answer is "no." There's no shortage of corn subsidies, and farmers have been looking for new ways of utilizing corn for years. HFCS has been one of the ways which has payed off. Additionally, fructose is rated higher than sucrose on the Relative Sweetness Scale (140 and 100 respectively) so that less product may be used. But yes, the above reason is vital.
  - dantheman 17y ago
    Actually more HFCS is used than sugar for some reason... I'm looking for a reference on this, but haven't found one yet. I know I read it somewhere.
- seiji 17y ago
  Seen on a 12-pack of Pepsi on Sunday: "Retro Pepsi! Now with Real Sugar! (limited time only)"
  - joezydeco 17y ago
    And you know what? It's really really good. So is kosher Coke and Mountain Dew Throwback.
pmorici 17y ago
You might be interested in the documentary, King Corn, http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/ http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/ The US Government subsidizes corn production to the tune of like $22 an acre or something like that so corn based products are artificially cheap.
- JoeAltmaier 17y ago
  I dont think its an actual subsidy (price support). Its more like insurance, production control (CRP) etc. My brother grew corn for 20 years, and never received any direct "subsidy". That web link doesn't explain any of this, it just throws around careless terms without explaining them - slanderous yellow journalism?
  - pmorici 17y ago
    You have to watch the film. They explain it all in some detail.
- JoeAltmaier 17y ago
  Also the web page is woefully out of date. There is absolutely no corn surplus anywhere. Ethanol production ate up every last available kernel, to the point that chicken feed became scarce - endangering your tasty mcnuggets!

Is this why we use high fructose corn syrup everywhere?

philk 17y ago

Yes. The quota system drove the price of sugar up so much that manufacturers switched to the much cheaper alternative.

alecst 17y ago
That's what he was asking. I think he meant "is this the only reason why we use high fructose corn syrup everywhere" to which I think the answer is "no." There's no shortage of corn subsidies, and farmers have been looking for new ways of utilizing corn for years. HFCS has been one of the ways which has payed off. Additionally, fructose is rated higher than sucrose on the Relative Sweetness Scale (140 and 100 respectively) so that less product may be used. But yes, the above reason is vital.
- dantheman 17y ago
  Actually more HFCS is used than sugar for some reason... I'm looking for a reference on this, but haven't found one yet. I know I read it somewhere.
seiji 17y ago
Seen on a 12-pack of Pepsi on Sunday: "Retro Pepsi! Now with Real Sugar! (limited time only)"
- joezydeco 17y ago
  And you know what? It's really really good. So is kosher Coke and Mountain Dew Throwback.

pmorici 17y ago

You might be interested in the documentary, King Corn, http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/ http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/kingcorn/ The US Government subsidizes corn production to the tune of like $22 an acre or something like that so corn based products are artificially cheap.

JoeAltmaier 17y ago
I dont think its an actual subsidy (price support). Its more like insurance, production control (CRP) etc. My brother grew corn for 20 years, and never received any direct "subsidy". That web link doesn't explain any of this, it just throws around careless terms without explaining them - slanderous yellow journalism?
- pmorici 17y ago
  You have to watch the film. They explain it all in some detail.
JoeAltmaier 17y ago
Also the web page is woefully out of date. There is absolutely no corn surplus anywhere. Ethanol production ate up every last available kernel, to the point that chicken feed became scarce - endangering your tasty mcnuggets!