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Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury (Merged)

S

ssmurphss

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The title pretty much says it all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28877253/

In one study, published in the journal Environmental Health, former Food and Drug Administration scientist Renee Dufault and colleagues tested 20 samples of high fructose corn syrup and found detectable mercury in nine of the 20 samples.
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Dr. David Wallinga, a food safety researcher and activist at the nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, said he followed up on the report to find mercury in actual food.
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"When I learned of that work, I said that is interesting but we don't just go out and eat a spoonful of high fructose corn syrup," Wallinga said in a telephone interview.
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"Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two reagents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years," Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, said in a statement.
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Wallinga said the studies were based on samples taken in 2005, the most recent available.
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I thought that the comments made by Wallinga are rediculous. No, people don't eat pure high fructose corn syrup, but it is used in a sweetner in everything from soft drinks to cereal (eat up kids!)

So apparently, in the most technologically advanced and regulated society of modern times, the high fructose corn syrup producers of America have discovered this problem and fixed it sometime after 2005. So does this mean that if you have drank soft drinks or eaten cereal, etc. before this date you have taken in unsafe levels of mercury? Well, it looks like I'm going to be enjoying the various side-effects that come along with high mercury intake.


Erethism (nervousness, irritability, mood instability, blushing)
Tremor
Personality change
Suicidal tendency
Paraesthesia
Impaired hearing
Speech disorders
Visual disturbance
Abnormal reflexes
Disturbed gait
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Impaired nerve conduction
Renal damage
Adverse outcome of pregnancy
Infertility
Pneumonitis (lung disease)
Glioblastoma (brain cancer)
Immune system dysfunction
Gastroenteritis (stomach upset)
Mouth pain
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Excessive salivation
Anuria (urine production stops)
Uraemia (urine products appearing in the blood)
Nephritis (kidney disease leading to kidney failure)
Anorexia (lack of appetite)
Ataxia (difficulty in moving)

http://www.mercurysafety.co.uk/hlthinfo.htm
 
This article is very shortcoming in necessary information. For example, it doesn't mention how much mercury was found in the nine samples, in parts per million or (more likely) parts per billion.

Mercury is likely found in many foodstuffs Americans consume, usually as a result of environmental contamination--saltwater fish immediately comes to mind. My thoughts are, until there is more information on the levels of mercury found in corn syrup compared to other common foodstuffs, this article is just blowing a lot of smoke. :\
 
Over the last year I have tried my best to minimize if not eliminate my HFCS intake. This is just one more reason not to put that crap in your body.

"USDA estimates 2007 per capita high fructose corn syrup consumption, adjusted for loss during transport, processing and uneaten food—which presents a more accurate figure of what we eat—was 40.1 lbs per year." (sited from a pro-HFCS site). That is a lot of HFCS to eat per year...it seems like even a small amount of mercury could build up quickly. :\
 
I want to see HFCS go just because pure cane sugar is so much more delicious.
 
DigitalDuality said:
^
Like it matters. Even if it's fear mongering, all the better. HFCS needs to go.
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AMEN! Thank you.

I was actually just coming here to share this article and saw that ssmurphss did it for me. :) I don't post in here often but I feel this is important.

Mercury is the least of the issues with HFCS but maybe this will scare people into understanding how dangerous it is. Because apparently obesity and diabetes aren't enough of a threat. 8)

Haha yeah, those ads make me have rage spasms. I mean, they are laughable, it's such bullshit. But it worries me that a lot of stupid sheeple out there believe anything they see on tv and are going to fall for that crap. :(
 
...how much mercury was found in the nine samples...until there is more information on the levels of mercury found in corn syrup compared to other common foodstuffs, this article is just blowing a lot of smoke
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"Total mercury detected in 55 name brand foods and beverages.." in ppt

http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=105040


Obtained from this article : http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-01-27-corn-syrup_N.htm


Some memorable favorites :

Hershey's Chocolate Syrup = 257 ppt Hg
Hunt's Tomato Ketchup = 87 ppt Hg
Coca-Cola Classic = 62 ppt Hg


Now, parts per trillion may not seem that close to the FDA's acceptable limits of mercury in food/seafood (1 ppm). However, consider how much more (say by weight) you have consumed the above three products compared to seafood. This shit seems pretty serious to me, and likely accounts for some of the increasing rates of diseases & disorders in civilized societies. And they are not the only ones that contain mercury, nor is this list of 55 products.
 
Someone already went over the stats and found that eating seafood like once will result in more mercury than if you were consuming completely unreasonable amounts of HFCS.

I believe one serving of shark would expose you to more mercury than the average person consumes in 3 decades or something like that through HFCS at the levels these stats show.
 
Kul69 said:
Someone already went over the stats and found that eating seafood like once will result in more mercury than if you were consuming completely unreasonable amounts of HFCS.

I believe one serving of shark would expose you to more mercury than the average person consumes in 3 decades or something like that through HFCS at the levels these stats show.
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I heard that too but do you have a source for that?
 
If the consensus is that HFCS is bad for you anyway - why does it matter if there's something "more bad" about it?

I fail to see the logic in this argument.

Anyway - safe, natural alternative sweetener...
Stevia.
If you haven't heard about it (and hate HFCS) you should check it out.

Now... to get you all to stop eating processed foods - and enable you to stop worrying about HFCS and its mercury content...
 
The HFCS is more dangerous than the mercury, it scars your arteries making cholesterol at any level dangerous.
 
High Fructose Corn Syrup - now with extra mercury

People are stuffing their own faces with too much propaganda lately. It saddens me when so many sheep(some Blue lighters too) try to tell me High Fructose Corn Syrup is good for you then later accuse me of making up a conspiracy & drink it themselves(HFCS) all the time.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html
Scan the following article from the Washington post before buying into the High Fructose Corn Syrup(HFCS) commercials that have been all over TV(see below). Surprised this wasnt more reported on.


MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) --Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies, said in a prepared statement. In the first study, published in current issue of Environmental Health, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS.

And in the second study, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), a non-profit watchdog group, found that nearly one in three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury. The chemical was found most commonly in HFCS-containing dairy products, dressings and condiments.

But an organization representing the refiners is disputing the results published in Environmental Health.

"This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance," said Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, in a statement. "Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years. These mercury-free re-agents perform important functions, including adjusting pH balances."

However, the IATP told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that four plants in Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia still use "mercury-cell" technology that can lead to contamination.

IATP's Ben Lilliston also told HealthDay that the Environmental Health findings were based on information gathered by the FDA in 2005.

And the group's own study, while not peer-reviewed, was based on products "bought off the shelf in the autumn of 2008," Lilliston added.

The use of mercury-contaminated caustic soda in the production of HFCS is common. The contamination occurs when mercury cells are used to produce caustic soda.

"The bad news is that nobody knows whether or not their soda or snack food contains HFCS made from ingredients like caustic soda contaminated with mercury. The good news is that mercury-free HFCS ingredients exist. Food companies just need a good push to only use those ingredients," Wallinga said in his prepared statement.

More information

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry has more about mercury and health.

SOURCE: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, news release, Jan. 26, 2009
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Smell the propaganda from a mile away:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVsgXPt564Q


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEbRxTOyGf0


In reality the mass population is being dumbed down & poisoned with harmful food additives such as aspartame,MSG(Mono Sodium Glutamate) etc. few in a numerous arsenal of nasty chemical additives that harm the brain. However, people are condition in society to police themselves & try their best to pressure each other and any who step out of line into obeying the set "norm" even if its completely retarded like drugging every child with amphetamine or most of modern day politics. Be Vigilant!!

note: edited for visual clarity
 
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the question is, are heavy metals present in other highly concentrated, processed ingredients like cane sugar. My guess is yes, since commercial fields are fertilized with the same coke ash that corn fields are. The same pesticides and herbicides are used, too.
 
I dont think it is a big deal. People get mercury from many sources. There is mercury in the air, in the soil, in seafood. Just like hearing chemical x causes cancer..... Its generally way over exagerated.


Kong said:
The HFCS is more dangerous than the mercury, it scars your arteries making cholesterol at any level dangerous.
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Seriously, where is the link to that nonsense

Fructose is a sugar, and there is nothing wrong with it. HFCS is an extract from corn for godsake. People used to take Mercury as a suplement, my grandfather used to take a lot of it. He died at the young age of 101
Mercury is poisonous if taken in large amounts, but it depends on the person. IF high fructose corn syrup should be taken off the market, seafood should be indefiantely banned.
Mercury also exists in many forms, and depending on the form is more dangerous than others.. what form is this mercury in?

I have not heard a single reason why no one wants HFCS.



Digital Duality said:
Like it matters. Even if it's fear mongering, all the better. HFCS needs to go.
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Why?

Finder said:
Over the last year I have tried my best to minimize if not eliminate my HFCS intake. This is just one more reason not to put that crap in your body.

"USDA estimates 2007 per capita high fructose corn syrup consumption, adjusted for loss during transport, processing and uneaten food—which presents a more accurate figure of what we eat—was 40.1 lbs per year." (sited from a pro-HFCS site). That is a lot of HFCS to eat per year...it seems like even a small amount of mercury could build up quickly.
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Well, if Mercury were infact soo dangerous, we would all be dead. But more than one reason? whats another?

MynameisnotDeja said:
Mercury is the least of the issues with HFCS but maybe this will scare people into understanding how dangerous it is. Because apparently obesity and diabetes aren't enough of a threat...
...But it worries me that a lot of stupid sheeple out there believe anything they see on tv and are going to fall for that crap.
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Obesity and Diabetes. This can happen from Sucrose.... and does all the time. These things can be controlled if you eat right and excercize. You cannot blame the food because someone is fat and lazy. It is the person's fault. We think drugs should be legal? Its not the drugs fault. You can take pills made by god know who.. But HFCS is a step too far? Thats absurd... really.

But Sheeple? You see a couple of papers produced by someone for all you know got sponsored by they FLorida Sugar Farmers. But you see someone prefix Doctor publish a paper, and it is automatically gospel



sssmurphsss said:
Hershey's Chocolate Syrup = 257 ppt Hg
Hunt's Tomato Ketchup = 87 ppt Hg
Coca-Cola Classic = 62 ppt Hg
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Now, parts per trillion may not seem that close to the FDA's acceptable limits of mercury in food/seafood (1 ppm). However, consider how much more (say by weight) you have consumed the above three products compared to seafood. This shit seems pretty serious to me, and likely accounts for some of the increasing rates of diseases & disorders in civilized societies. And they are not the only ones that contain mercury, nor is this list of 55 products.[/QUOTE]

Those numbers really are only usable unless you can convert the tomato or what ever into moles, or the ppm into grams. you have 67 atoms per trillion of chocolate. that means in 1 million atoms you have 6.7x10^-5 atoms of Hg. That is ridiculous. 1 ppm in seafood is not even dangerous. Think about it, you would have to consume 670,000 times as much corn syrup. This would be eaiser to do if the number were in grams though.




FrostyMcFailure said:
MSG, Aspratame & other weird chemicals that are being snuck into the mass publics food supply are very harmful. The white house cook stated Laura bush insisted they only were served organics.
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How are they harmful again?
Laura Bush is the authority on food, and toxicology? Because she lived in the whitehouse now?
You think she had some secret Area 51 knowlege on food chemistry we dont get?




www.startribune.com said:
The researchers cautioned that their study was limited. It tested 55 consumer items, finding mercury in one third of the samples ranging from 30 to 350 parts per trillion. A part per trillion is the rough equivalent of a drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
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In 55 items that contain HFCS, Mercury was found in one thrid. WHat about the two thirds of products that did not. This sounds like something else is to blame.
 
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