Just published in the Environmental Health journal is a science commentary reporting that mercury was found in 9 of 20 samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a common sweetener of foods and beverages.
Mercury is a potent brain toxin that we know accumulates in fish and seafood, although diet is not the only route by which we are exposed. When babies are exposed to elevated mercury in the womb, their brains may develop abnormally, impairing learning abilities and reducing IQ. For these youngest children, the science increasingly suggests there may be no “safe” level of exposure to mercury.
And yet for decades an increasingly common ingredient in processed foods, HFCS, has been made using mercury-grade caustic soda. The lead author of the Environmental Health study found mercury contamination in some commercial HFCS, which can be made from mercury-grade caustic soda.
Through this public scientist’s initiative, the FDA learned that commercial HFCS was contaminated with mercury. The agency has apparently done nothing to inform consumers of this fact, however, or to help change industry practice.
Mercury was found at levels several times higher than the lowest detectable limits in some snack bars, barbecue sauce, sloppy joe mix, yogurt and chocolate syrup. Although closer to the detection limit, elevated mercury levels were also found in some soda pop, strawberry jelly, catsup and chocolate milk. The top mercury detections are summarized in the table below.
Mercury is a potent brain toxin that we know accumulates in fish and seafood, although diet is not the only route by which we are exposed. When babies are exposed to elevated mercury in the womb, their brains may develop abnormally, impairing learning abilities and reducing IQ. For these youngest children, the science increasingly suggests there may be no “safe” level of exposure to mercury.
And yet for decades an increasingly common ingredient in processed foods, HFCS, has been made using mercury-grade caustic soda. The lead author of the Environmental Health study found mercury contamination in some commercial HFCS, which can be made from mercury-grade caustic soda.
Through this public scientist’s initiative, the FDA learned that commercial HFCS was contaminated with mercury. The agency has apparently done nothing to inform consumers of this fact, however, or to help change industry practice.
Mercury was found at levels several times higher than the lowest detectable limits in some snack bars, barbecue sauce, sloppy joe mix, yogurt and chocolate syrup. Although closer to the detection limit, elevated mercury levels were also found in some soda pop, strawberry jelly, catsup and chocolate milk. The top mercury detections are summarized in the table below.
Product Name | Total Mercury ppt (parts per trillion) | |||
Quaker Oatmeal to Go | 350 | |||
Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Sauce (Heinz) | 300 | |||
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup | 257 | |||
Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce | 200 | |||
Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars | 180 | |||
Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe | 150 | |||
Market Pantry Grape Jelly | 130 | |||
Smucker’s Strawberry Jelly | 100 | |||
Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry | 100 | |||
Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup | 87 | |||
Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing | 72 | |||
Coca-Cola Classic | 62 | |||
Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt | 60 | |||
Minute Maid Berry Punch | 40 | |||
Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink | 30 | |||
Nesquik Chocolate Milk | 30 | |||
Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk | 30 | |||
References:
1. David Wallinga, M.D., Janelle Sorensen, Pooja Mottl, Brian Yablon, M.D. Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
# 1. David Wallinga, M.D., Janelle Sorensen, Pooja Mottl, Brian Yablon, M.D. Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
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