High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common liquid sweetener made from corn that is used in many foods and beverages.  Its composition is nearly identical to sucrose or table sugar – the same sugar you may add to your coffee or sprinkle on grapefruit.  Despite this scientific fact, there remains an overabundance of misinformation about HFCS and its safety.  Rather than take our word for it, let’s turn to the experts at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA notes on their website that they receive many inquiries from citizens asking about the safety of HFCS.  On their website, they address the question as follows:

“FDA receives many inquiries asking about the safety of HFCS, often referring to studies about how humans metabolize fructose or fructose-containing sweeteners. These studies are based on the observation that there are some differences between how we metabolize fructose and other simple sugars.

We are not aware of any evidence, including the studies mentioned above, that there is a difference in safety between foods containing [HFCS] and foods containing similar amounts of other nutritive sweeteners with approximately equal glucose and fructose content, such as sucrose, honey, or other traditional sweeteners.”

We agree with FDA’s conclusion.  Sugar is sugar.  Let’s go one step further and remember that, like all foods and beverages, our products and their ingredients, like HFCS, should be consumed in moderation.