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HFCS is not 'natural', says FDA

By Lorraine Heller

02-Apr-2008 - Products containing high fructose corn syrup cannot be

considered 'natural' and should not be labeled as such, the US Food and

Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

The decision is likely to cause a massive stir in the food and beverage

industry, where a discreet battle has been raging over the status of the

controversial sweetener.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS

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derived from corn, and used primarily to sweeten beverages. The trade

group Corn Refiners Association and numerous industry members have long

maintained that HFCS is a natural

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sweetener.

However, the sugar industry is more critical, as HFCS comes into direct

competition with sugar as a sweetener. Industry group Sugar

Association, as well as consumer groups such as the Center for Science

in the Public Interest categorically maintain that HFCS cannot be

considered natural because its chemical bonds are broken and rearranged

in the manufacturing process.

The debate raged on for one simple reason: FDA does not define the term

'natural', and it has therefore been left open to different

interpretations.

However, in response to an inquiry from FoodNavigator-USA.com, the

regulatory agency examined the composition of HFCS, which it said is

produced using synthetic fixing agents.

" Consequently, we would object to the use of the term 'natural' on a

product containing HFCS, " the agency's Geraldine June said in an e-mail

to FoodNavigator-USA.com. June is Supervisor of the Product Evaluation

and Labeling team at FDA's Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary

Supplements.

FDA on 'natural'

FDA has received two petitions to define the term 'natural' - one from

the Sugar Association, and one from bakery firm Sara Lee.

Although the agency had not provided a formal response to these

petitions, it told this publication that it has no plans to define the

term in the near future, due to limited resources. " We're not sure how

high of an issue it is for consumers, " it said.

Nevertheless, FDA does have a longstanding policy regarding the use of

the term. This states that a 'natural' product is one that has not had

any artificial or synthetic substances added to the product that would

not normally be expected to be in the food - including artificial

flavours or color additives, regardless of source.

FDA also does not currently restrict the use of the term 'natural'

except on products that contain added color, synthetic substances and

flavors as provided for in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR), section 101.22.

FDA on HFCS

Although FDA provides no definition or detailed guidelines for the use

of the term 'natural', it said it has a system in place for

manufacturers with doubts to approach it and ask for guidance on the use

of particular ingredients.

Under this system, FoodNavigator-USA.com submitted an inquiry about

HFCS.

FDA responded that HFCS is prepared from a high dextrose equivalent corn

starch hydrolysate by partial enzymatic conversion of glucose (dextrose)

to fructose using an insoluble glucose isomerase enzyme preparation.

The glucose isomerase enzyme preparation is fixed (rendered insoluble)

using safe and suitable immobilization/fixing agents, it said.

" The use of synthetic fixing agents in the enzyme preparation, which is

then used to produce HFCS, would not be consistent with our (...) policy

regarding the use of the term 'natural', " said Geraldine June.

" Moreover, the corn starch hydrolysate, which is the substrate used in

the production of HFCS, may be obtained through the use of safe and

suitable acids or enzymes. Depending on the type of acid(s) used to

obtain the corn starch hydrolysate, this substrate itself may not fit

within the description of 'natural' and, therefore, HCFS produced from

such corn starch hydrolysate would not qualify for a 'natural' labeling

term, " she concluded.

HFCS and industry

Although FDA's conclusion may not be welcome by some industry members,

who would have liked to have promoted their HFCS-containing products as

'natural', it will at least prevent any future misinterpretations.

Last year for example, both Cadbury Schweppes and Kraft faced lawsuits

after making 'natural' label claims on beverages that contained high

fructose corn syrup. Both companies changed the labeling of their

products before any legal action was taken.

The market for 'natural'

The quest for natural foods and beverages has burgeoned on the back of

an overall consumer move towards healthier nutrition.

According to Mintel's Global New Products Database, 'All Natural' was

the third most frequent claim made on food products launched in the US

in 2007, appearing on 2,617 products. It ranked fourth most popular

claim for beverages, used on 542 items.

In Europe, 878 'All Natural' food products and 509 beverage products

were launched last year.

Additionally, the Natural Marketing Institute reported in 2004 that 63

percent of US consumers have a preference for natural foods and

beverages. In 2006, a Interactive survey found that 83 percent

of people wanted a government definition of the term.

If you would like to comment on this article, please contact

lorraine.heller'at'decisionnews.com.

S. Kalman PhD, RD, CCRC, FACN

Miami Research Associates

Director, Nutrition & Applied Clinical Research

6141 Sunset Drive #301

Miami, FL. 33143

(fax)

www.miamiresearch.com <http://www.miamiresearch.com>