More Dangerous Than Smoking? Death by Soda

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's not about blame, but accepting facts. Are you refuting those facts that I just mentioned above? They were in answer to the question of why we have HFCS and partially hydrogenated oils in just about every food product here while Europe and Canada doesn't. Do you have a better explanation for that discrepency?

No -- all I'm saying is HFCS and trans-fats are not solely responsible for the obesity epidemic

in this country (although they certainly don't help).

Where did I say that they were?

[mrc 0]

LOL @ Muffin tops. That reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when they were trying to pawn off the muffins without the tops and no one would take them.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sweet oligopoly

HCFS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) is a relatively new food product. It is liquid sweetener derived from corn. It was first manufactured in a big way in the early 1970s, and has since grown to massive proportions. More HFCS is now consumed at greater rates than sugar -- in soft drinks, in condiments, in baked goods, in toothpaste, and many other uses.

Four companies dominate the market. They are Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cargill, Tate & Lyle (a British sugar company that bought out US-based Staley Manufacturing in 1988 and just this year changed the division's name to that of the parent company), and CPC International (also known as Corn Products International).

In 2002, ADM bought Minnesota Corn Processors giving it control of over 35% of the market. Tate & Lyle has around 20%. Cargill grew its share to around 25% by leasing the operations of the ProGold Company in 1997. CPC had a share under 10%.

The four largest companies account for well over 80% of the market. In 2004, ADM was sued by 20 food industry companies (including Coca Cola and Pepsico), who claimed that it had tried to fix the price of HFCS, ADM paid a settlement of over $400 million without admitting guilt. Tate & Lyle paid out $50 million in a related settlement.

In Europe, the industry (called isoglucose) is an even tighter oligopoly, with Cargill (which in 2002 bought French company Cerestar, an industry leader giving it around 50% of the market) and Tate & Lyle (through its Amylum subsidiary.

There is a perpetual war between the sugar companies (especially in the US) and the HFCS makers, since the corn product has eaten away at the sugar refineries' profits. But both are united in trying to stifle US and international dietary pronouncements that even hint at the suspicion that the easy availability of cheap sweet stuff is behind the worldwide obesity boom. Both have succeeded in stifling reports that recommend severe cutbacks in dietary sweeteners, even though the consumption of carbonated beverages and other treats seems to be directly correlated to obesity.

http://www.oligopolywatch.com/2005/07/29.html

[mrsushi66 0]

One of the things my fiancee (she is in russia) has asked me is if everyone is supersized in the states?? So we have had the whole over wieght discussion and I was up front with her that I am packing (and she saw for herself) a few extra pounds but I am doing the whole smaller portion sizes and getting my butt to work out more often.

Anyway something we both agreed upon is that while corporate America is not looking out for our health it is still our responsablity to make healthiery choices. This is not always possible but the more people are informed and begin demanding healthier alternatives the more corporate america will listen and respond. Better yet support your local farmers and see if they have cooperatives that you can purchase fruits and veggies from. Farmers markets are another good alternative.

I know I was guilty in the past of just buying things and stuffing them in pie hole (mmmm pie) but lately I have been following my fiancee's lead and becoming a more informed eater.

Paul Misses Anna

[Jo1973 0]

Maybe we should all do away with PS's, Wiii's and all the x-boxes', tv's etc, then at least have the younger generation getting out and about on their bikes instead of lounging around like a couch potatoes. Hell, we never had the luxuries that kids have now, bring out the stilts and skipping ropes again lol.

No wonder we are an obese world.

I don't think I have ever checked what foods have HFCS in. (Will have to start looking.)

[mrc 0]

Maybe we should all do away with PS's, Wiii's and all the x-boxes', tv's etc, then at least have the younger generation getting out and about on their bikes instead of lounging around like a couch potatoes. Hell, we never had the luxuries that kids have now, bring out the stilts and skipping ropes again lol.

No wonder we are an obese world.

I don't think I have ever checked what foods have HFCS in. (Will have to start looking.)

I don't know...I grew up with Atari 2600 in the late 70's and we still played outside. I'd play a few games, get bored and then play baseball until I couldn't see anymore. Kids nowadays play games for 10 hours, save the game, eat some pizza rolls, watch some tv, then play more video games. It's sad, really.

You couldn't get me to come in the house...now you can't get a kid to go outside.

[Marilyn. 340]

Here's some FYI regarding Heinz Ketchup...

Once upon a time Heinz Ketchup (American) was made from "Red Ripe Tomatoes" and "sugar" amongst other things. Today, in America, Heinz Ketchup is made from "Tomato Paste (from Red, Ripe Tomatoes) and High Fructose Corn Syrup amongst other things, though Heinz claims it's the original Heinz ketchup which it is not.

....

On a positive not, Trader Joe's sells an organic ketchup that is comparable in price with Heinz, but is more loyal to the original recipe than the current Heinz is, with half the sugar content and it tastes zesty like the old Heinz used to.

Canadian Heinz Ketchup is still made that way

[Marilyn. 340]

And HFCS is NOT in the UK Heinz Ketchup. Makes you think...WHY? Why put it in the USA one?

To make it taste better?

it tastes worse with HFCS in it

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Hey Steve, Have you heard about that organic coca-cola? It has soy beans in it and its really crunchy! I saw that you were talkin CORN? I got some CORN for ya! and yeah its ORGANIC!

SO,,,,,,,, SO,,,,,,,,, ORGANIC!

[ace13 0]

My Pepperige Farm Whole Wheat Bread doesn't have any HFC in it. Just Honey and Sugar. but I did have to look, bc I was curious

I live by a statement my mom shared with me....a moment on your lips, a lifetime on your hips. It reminds me that I am what I eat....It is a lifestyle...everyone makes choices as to what they put in their bodies and it shows.

[Caladan 19]

Couple thoughts:

1) HFCS is cheap. Because it's cheap, it's in everything, even savory items. This, I think (no cite handy), not only adds extra calories, but conditions the body to desire sweet things, meaning you overeat on other stuff. (There's been a similar study with diet soda. No calories, but screws up your body's sense of what is healthy.)

2) I don't know whether HFCS should be banned in foods, but I'm all for tinkering with the economic incentives that make it cheap for companies to put it in everything. Change the corn subsidy and I'm pretty sure the taco sauce won't have added HFCS instead of flavorings.

3) You can avoid it by not buying pre-packaged #######. That's easier said than done, leading me to...

4) tell this story. So a few years ago I was at a training session for work, an international company, and many young consultants converged on Chicago, including a very pretty if plump British girl, who confided to me that she thought 'all the American girls were going to be fat.' I think she was hoping to be the skinny one for once. Of course, this wasn't the case: young upper-class professionals in their early twenties tend to be slim and dressed to the nines. But in explaining it to her, I realized that obesity in the U.S. sorts out by class. If you're rich, you can afford to shop at the organic store or have your nanny do it. If you're poor, you buy the 10% juice and the prepackaged Kraft dinner because it stretches the paycheck.

Few starve in the modern U.S., but starving while having a full plate surely is the newest poverty problem.

[mawilson 2,133]

And HFCS is NOT in the UK Heinz Ketchup. Makes you think...WHY? Why put it in the USA one?

To make it taste better?

it tastes worse with HFCS in it

Well I don't know what it is but Heinz in the US tastes a lot better. It's less vinegary.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Couple thoughts:

1) HFCS is cheap. Because it's cheap, it's in everything, even savory items. This, I think (no cite handy), not only adds extra calories, but conditions the body to desire sweet things, meaning you overeat on other stuff. (There's been a similar study with diet soda. No calories, but screws up your body's sense of what is healthy.)

2) I don't know whether HFCS should be banned in foods, but I'm all for tinkering with the economic incentives that make it cheap for companies to put it in everything. Change the corn subsidy and I'm pretty sure the taco sauce won't have added HFCS instead of flavorings.

3) You can avoid it by not buying pre-packaged #######. That's easier said than done, leading me to...

4) tell this story. So a few years ago I was at a training session for work, an international company, and many young consultants converged on Chicago, including a very pretty if plump British girl, who confided to me that she thought 'all the American girls were going to be fat.' I think she was hoping to be the skinny one for once. Of course, this wasn't the case: young upper-class professionals in their early twenties tend to be slim and dressed to the nines. But in explaining it to her, I realized that obesity in the U.S. sorts out by class. If you're rich, you can afford to shop at the organic store or have your nanny do it. If you're poor, you buy the 10% juice and the prepackaged Kraft dinner because it stretches the paycheck.

Few starve in the modern U.S., but starving while having a full plate surely is the newest poverty problem.

Trader Joe's has been increasing it's product line of organic food products that are comparible price wise to regular. For example, their Organic Marinara Sauce is only 20 cents more than their regular jar. But I do agree that in general, the cheapest food out there is oftentimes the worst for you nutritionally.

[Caladan 19]

Good point about TJ's. The problem is that they're not all that widespread. But they are cheaper! Disgustingly so, actually. The ghettomart chain near my house in the poor area charges ridiculous amounts for fresh produce. At TJ's, better produce is available for far less. Of course, you need a car to get there. But it makes you wonder what the hell the big chains are doing when cheapass bad-for-you products are more expensive than good food at a smaller chain.

[mawilson 2,133]

"Death by Soda" is a bit overdramatic, don't ya think?