High Fructose Corn Syrup a Newfound Source of Mercury – Informed Opinion

by | Feb 11, 2009 | 2009, Infant and Children's Health

Written by Marcia Zimmerman, CN.

The connection between consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and obesity, particularly in children, has been hotly debated. (1,2)  Now there are new concerns about consuming foods that contain HFCS. A recent pilot study by Renee Dufault and colleagues found that nearly half of fifty-five brand name products, listing HFCS as a first or second ingredient, contained mercury above detectible levels. (3)  Very sensitive atomic fluorescence analysis and cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry were used to determine detectable and total mercury levels. Snack bars, barbeque sauce, sloppy Joe mix, yogurt, and chocolate syrup contained higher levels than were found in some soda pop, strawberry jelly, catsup, and chocolate milk. Non-carbonated beverages did not have detectible levels. Quaker, Hunt’s, Manwich, Hershey’s, Smucker’s, Kraft, Nutri-Grain, and Yoplait are familiar brands with a product found to contain mercury. (4)

The source of contamination is “mercury-grade” caustic soda that is used in producing HFCS from corn. This technology was first employed in 1884 and it is currently still used in eight U.S. plants. Most have switched to producing “membrane-grade” HFCS, which is mercury free, and it’s likely that the major soda and cola brands have converted. According to the Dufault study, there are 53 mercury cell plants in operation worldwide and HFCS is the predominant product produced at these sites. In most cases, U.S. food manufacturers buying HFCS from these sources are unaware it may contain appreciable amounts of mercury. Currently the U.S. government only regulates methyl mercury in fish and not in other foods, while several other governments regulate all forms of mercury in foodstuffs. (5)

Mercury is a neurotoxin that damages the heart, immune, and nervous systems.(6) The unborn are particularly vulnerable because mercury from their mother’s body passes through the placenta and can cause abnormal development, impaired learning ability, and lower I.Q. in the fetus. Breast milk can also be a source of mercury contamination. (7) There is no “safe” dose of mercury, and the Environmental Protection Agency has set a “reference” dose at 0.1 microgram/kilogram/day. For the average American woman weighing 55 kilograms, this translates into more than 5.5 micrograms/day. Government agencies have warned women of child bearing age to not consume more than one or two servings of fish per week. Smaller fish are safer to eat than larger predator fish such as walleye or pike.( 8)  No agency has taken up the case of mercury in HFCS. However, nutritionists have long advocated a healthy diet for pregnant and nursing mothers and discouraged them from eating “junk foods”, most of which contain HFCS. Parents have blamed mercury and other toxic metals for serious neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorders. (9)  Several sources of mercury contamination have been suspected, but until now, HFCS has not even been considered.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated the total consumption of HFCS in 2007 was approximately 50 grams/day (12 teaspoons) per person. Detectible amounts of mercury in the Dufault study ranged up to 0.570 micrograms of mercury per gram of HFCS. Doing a little simple math, this equates to a total daily exposure of 28.5 micrograms of mercury per day .(4)  Those with a high consumption of foods containing HFCS could easily be ingesting more than the average consumer.

According to government surveys, consumption of total fructose, including HFCS, among U.S. children and adults represents 10 percent of a 2,000 daily caloric intake. The use of HFCS has skyrocketed since the 1970’s and now seventy-five percent of total fructose intake comes from foods and beverages other than fruits and vegetables. (3)  High fructose corn syrup, most of which is found in high caloric, nutrient depleted foods, is being heavily marketed to children via the Internet, television, and advertisements. (10)  School vending machines and cafeterias contain many foods and beverages that have significant amounts of HFCS. (11)  Children are increasingly being exposed to these offending foods, particularly as they move into high school.

Exposure to mercury from dental amalgams, the environment, and consumption of other HFCS containing foods such as sweetened beverages, breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups, and condiments, may compound the problem of mercury exposure. Shampoos and toothpaste may also contain HFCS, but not necessarily from mercury contaminated sources. (12)

Source: Dufault, Renee, et al. “Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product sugar.” Environmental Health 8.1 (2009): 2.

© 2009 Dufault et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted February 11, 2009.

References:

  1. Forshee, R.A.; Storey, M.L.; Allison, D.B.; et al.; “A Critical Examination of the Evidence Relating High Fructose Corn Syrup and Weight Gain” Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2007;47:561-82.
  2. White, J.S,; “Straight Talk About High-Fructose Corn Syrup: What it is and What it ain’t” Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88:1716S-1721S.
  3. Dufault, R.; LeBlanc, B.; Schnoll, R.; et al.; “Mercury from Chlor-Alkali Plants: Measured Concentration in Food Product Sugar” Environ Health 2009;8: epub. doi:10.1186.
  4. Wallinga, D.; Sorensen, J.; Mottl, P.; Jablon, B.; “Not So Sweet – Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup” Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy January 2009; p. 1-24.
  5. Dufault, R. et al. Op Cit.
  6. Myers, G.J.; Davidson, P.W.; “Does Methylmercury Have a Role in Causing Developmental Disabilities in Children?” Environ Health Perspec 2000;108:413-420.
  7. Ng, D.K.; Chan, C.H.; Soo, M.T.; Lee, R.S.; “Low-level chronic mercury exposure in children and adolescents: meta-analysis” Pediatr Int. 2007;49:80-7.
  8. Minnesota Smart Fish Guide
  9. Windham, G.C.; et al.; “Autism Spectrum Disorders in Relation to Distribution of Hazardous Air Pollutants in the San Francisco Bay Area” Environ Health Perspec 2006;114:1438-1444.
  10. Dixon, H.; Scully, M.L.; Wakefield, M.A.; et al.; “The Effects of Television Advertisements for Junk Food Versus Nutritious Food on Children’s Food Attitudes and Preferences” Soc Sci Med 2007;65:1311-23.
  11. Finkelstein, D.H.; Hill, E.; Whitaker, R.C.; “School Food Environments and Policies in U.S. Public Schools” Pediatrics 2008;122:e.251-e259.
  12. Lilliston, B.; “Much High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated With Mercury, New Study Finds” Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy January 26, 2009.