USDA expert provides clarity on sweeteners
At today’s Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting in Anaheim, three top researchers corrected inaccuracies and misunderstandings concerning high fructose corn syrup’s impact on the American diet and examined how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers the sweetener in light of the upcoming 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The session, which brought together scientific leaders from various backgrounds, coincides with new research published in June’s Journal of Nutrition supplement entitled “The State of Science on Dietary Sweeteners Containing Fructose”.
The session leaders included:
David Klurfeld, Ph.D., national program leader for human nutrition, USDA Agriculture Research Service
John White, Ph.D., caloric sweetener expert and president, White Technical Research
James Rippe, M.D., cardiologist and professor of biomedical sciences, University of Central Florida
According to USDA’s Dr. Klurfeld, who also served as editor of the Journal of Nutrition supplement, the government’s evidence-based approach to dietary advice indicates there are no credible data to demonstrate high fructose corn syrup is metabolically different from other sweeteners comprised of roughly equal amounts of fructose and glucose, such as sucrose (table sugar).
"This is a marketing issue, not a metabolic issue," stated David Klurfeld, Ph.D., national program leader for human nutrition in USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and editor of the June 2009 Journal of Nutrition supplement, "The State of the Science on Dietary Sweeteners Containing Fructose," in response to recent reformulations by manufacturers of products that once contained high fructose corn syrup. "The real issue is not high fructose corn syrup”
The researchers will be available to discuss the findings and broader myths about the often misunderstood caloric sweetener. Let me know if I can schedule a phone briefing, provide more information or otherwise assist.
In the meantime, check out www.SweetSurprise.com for full copies of peer-reviewed studies, facts and information.