Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup
Author Information
Author(s): Renee Dufault, Blaise LeBlanc, Roseanne Schnoll, Charles Cornett, Laura Schweitzer, David Wallinga, Jane Hightower, Lyn Patrick, Walter J Lukiw
Hypothesis
Does high fructose corn syrup contain mercury from chlor-alkali plants?
Conclusion
Mercury was found in 45% of the high fructose corn syrup samples analyzed, indicating a potential source of mercury exposure in food products.
Supporting Evidence
- Mercury was detected in nine of the twenty samples analyzed.
- Average daily consumption of high fructose corn syrup is about 50 grams per person in the United States.
- Mercury contamination of food products as a result of the use of mercury contaminated HFCS seems like a very real possibility.
Takeaway
Some sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup might have tiny bits of mercury in them, which can be harmful, especially for kids.
Methodology
Samples of high fructose corn syrup were collected from three manufacturers and analyzed for total mercury using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.
Potential Biases
Manufacturers may not disclose the exact composition of their products, leading to potential bias in understanding mercury sources.
Limitations
The sample size was small and proprietary information limited confirmation of raw material sources.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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