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High fructose corn syrup has been under the gun for awhile. The sweetener has taken over the American processed food market because it is so inexpensive yet tremendously sweet. It's no coincidence that as it took hold of American's taste buds in the 80's, the nation's obesity rate started its unprecedented climb.
According to MSNBC in one study, published in the Journal of 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.
Dr. David Wallinga, a food safety researcher and activist at the nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy tested actual foods. "We went and looked at supermarket samples where high fructose corn syrup was the first or second ingredient on the label," Dr. Wallinga said. These 55 different foods included barbecue sauce, jam, yogurt, and chocolate syrup. "We found about one out of three had mercury above the detection limit," Wallinga said.
That's scary stuff. Mercury is bad for you! What's more, all these cheap processed foods take their toll on the planet. Wasteful packaging fills up our landfills and the pesticides used to grow the corn pollute both our bodies and the planet. There are just too many reasons to skip the junky processed foods especially those with high fructose corn syrup. Instead, check out all of these fabulous greener options:
- Try Kelly Rossiter's recipe for tortilla chips.
- Read my guide to greener substitutes for foods like cheese puffs, gold fish, and animal crackers.
- Make Emeril's ice cream sandwiches instead of the store bought version.
- Make these Tasty Tofu Brownies.
Related Posts:
Make Your Own Pop Tarts
How to Make a Green Happy Meal
High Fructose Corn Syrup Producers on a Roll
Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.
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