"Not to do any more investigation."
When FDA researcher Renee Dufault discovered mercury in 45% of HFCS samples, her superiors told her to stop investigating. The FDA sat on this data for four years while HFCS remained in 80% of processed foods.
Premature deaths annually from corn production
In corn subsidies since 1995
Spent on "corn sugar" rebranding
The mercury contamination came from mercury-grade caustic soda used in processing, with levels potentially exposing Americans to 28 micrograms of mercury daily from HFCS alone. Yet four U.S. plants still used mercury cell technology as of 2009.
Three categories of harmful compounds.
Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)
100 mg/kg after heatingMetabolizes into genotoxic SMF that damages DNA and isn't properly excreted. At 250 mg/L, causes 15-58% mortality in honey bees within 20 days.
Reactive Carbonyls
5x diabetic blood levelsA single can of HFCS-sweetened soda contains five times the concentration of reactive carbonyls found in the blood of diabetic patients. These don't form in table sugar.
Advanced Glycation End Products
10x more reactive than glucoseHFCS promotes intestinal formation of toxic AGEs that travel through the body triggering inflammatory responses. Fructose is 10x more reactive than glucose in forming these compounds.
No regulatory limits exist for HMF, reactive carbonyls, or AGEs in HFCS products. The FDA doesn't require testing for these compounds.
Secret front groups and paid bloggers.
Internal emails from Corn Refiners Association CEO: "Our sponsorship of this campaign remains confidential. We are funding Berman & Co. directly, not the Center for Consumer Freedom which is running the ads."
"Corn Sugar" Campaign
$50 million spent on ads claiming "your body can't tell the difference" between HFCS and cane sugar. Internal documents show even industry officials called this campaign "dishonest and sneaky."
Paid Mom Bloggers
$50 Walmart gift certificates paid to mom bloggers to write positive posts about HFCS. They funded the International Food Information Council Foundation to spread misinformation.
Political Manipulation
ADM CEO Dwayne Andreas helped finance the Watergate break-in while cultivating relationships with presidents. When HFCS became uneconomical, he lobbied Reagan to impose sugar import quotas making HFCS artificially competitive.
$39 billion in health damages yearly.
Corn Belt topsoil destroyed
Pesticides annually on corn
Water Pollution
Roquette America paid $4.1 million for 1,174 permit violations, illegally discharging over 250,000 gallons of industrial waste into the Mississippi River.
Air Pollution
4,300 premature deaths annually from corn production, primarily from ammonia emissions forming deadly PM2.5 particles. Communities near processing facilities face elevated exposure.
Damage beyond sugar content.
DNA Methylation Changes
2022 study found HFCS causes epigenetic alterations that can be passed to offspring. Strongest during childhood and adolescence, when HFCS consumption is highest.
Microbiome Disruption
Significantly alters gut bacteria, reducing beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria by up to 50%. Creates intestinal barrier damage allowing endotoxins to enter the bloodstream.
Neuroinflammation
Gut-brain axis disruption leads to hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuronal loss, potentially explaining rising rates of cognitive issues in heavy HFCS consumers.
Vulnerable populations: Pregnant women expose developing fetuses to mercury during critical neurodevelopmental windows. No warnings exist on HFCS products despite AAP recommendations to minimize all mercury exposure.
Processing for profit creates dangers that don't exist in nature.
Every HFCS purchase supports an industry that secretly funded disinformation campaigns, suppressed mercury contamination data for four years, and continues exposing communities to deadly pollution - all while benefiting from $116 billion in taxpayer subsidies.