Corn Sweetener Facts

Corn, the original source of all corn sweeteners.

There are four primary kinds of corn sweetener produced by manufacturers: corn syrup, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and crystalline fructose. According to the Soyatech.com, corn sweeteners constitute 56 percent of the total U.S. nutritive sweetener market.

Corn Starch

The process of producing all corn sweeteners begins with corn starch. Corn starch must be converted to syrup through a process involving water, sulfur dioxide and acids or enzymes.

Levels of Processing

Different kinds of corn sweeteners are produced by halting the starch to sugar conversion process at different stages. Halting the process sooner produces moderately sweet corn syrup, while lengthier processing results in the formation of HFCS and dextrose.

HFCS vs. Sugar

Many sodas and soft drinks are now sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and other corn sweeteners.

According to the International Food Information Council, high fructose corn syrup contains 16 calories per tsp., essentially identical to the calories in table sugar (sucrose). Because it is cheap to produce and has a similar sweetness to sugar, HFCS is being used more frequently by food and beverage manufacturers.

Controversy

Corn sweeteners have been at the root of much social controversy. Those who support the use of corn sweeteners allege that they are natural, safe products that do not cause obesity; those in opposition claim that corn sweeteners contribute to obesity and are not natural because they are chemically processed.

FDA Ruling

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, corn sweeteners are safe for use in foods and beverages and may be labeled "natural."

Obesity

Various scientific studies, including one conducted by the University of Maryland's Center for Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture, have concluded that no direct link exists between corn sweeteners and obesity. However, proponents of the obesity link point to the presence of corn sweeteners in a rapidly increasing number of foods.

References

• International Food Information Council: Fast Facts about High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Corn Refiners Association: Sweeteners
• Soyatech.com: Corn Facts

Resources

• Los Angeles Times: Customers Raise Cane over Corn Sweetener
• SFGate.com: Marion Nestle: The Facts about Corn Sweetener
• Fructose Information Center: Facts about Fructose