Statement of Audrae Erickson, President, Corn Refiners Association on the Food & Drug Administration Denial of Petition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 30, 2012

CONTACT: David Knowles
202-331-1634

The Corn Refiners Association works every day to educate consumers about high fructose corn syrup, particularly that it is nutritionally equivalent to other sugars. The Food & Drug Administration denied our petition to use the term corn sugar to describe high fructose corn syrup on narrow, technical grounds. They did not address or question the overwhelming scientific evidence that high fructose corn syrup is a form of sugar and is nutritionally the same as other sugars.

The fact remains–which FDA did not challenge–that the vast majority of American consumers are confused about HFCS.  Consumers have the right to know what is in their foods and beverages in simple, clear language that enables them to make well-informed dietary decisions. In light of the FDA’s technical decision, it is important to note that the agency continues to consider HFCS as a form of added sugar, and requires that it be identified to consumers in the category of sugars on the Nutrition Fact Panel on foods and beverages.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.