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High Fructose Corn Syrup » FDA Claims Is Not Natural

High Fructose Corn Syrup » Though the FDA has not formally announced their decision to define the term 'Natural', there has been a ruling in the case of High Fructose Corn Syrup, (HFCS) ... The FDA states that High Fructose Corn Syrup is not 'Natural'.

This is a major decision and may have serious implications for the food and beverage industry. Many companies rely upon consumer confidence by having 'natural' statements on the product labeling. The Corn Refiners Association, (CRA), is 'naturally' defending High Fructose Corn Syrup and claims that it is a natural sweetener. However, the Sugar Association, which is a competitor of the CRA, does not agree.

After being threatened with lawsuit, Kraft and Schweppes made the decision to have the 'natural' label removed from their products that contained High Fructose Corn Syrup.

The true question being considered is whether a chemically altered product derived from a natural product such as corn can be deemed natural after having had the chemical composition changed in the process of manufacturing.
FoodNavigator-USA.com previously inquired to the FDA the current condition for High Fructose Corn Syrup and whether it would be appropriate for the product to use the term 'natural'.

Geraldine June, from the Office of Nutrition Product Evaluation and Labeling stated,

"We would object to the use of the term 'natural' on a product containing HFCS ... "

She continued by saying ...

"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'. Moreover, the corn starch hydrolysate ... 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."

According to the FDA, the only requirement for a product labeled as containing 'natural' ingredients is that they may not contain artificial flavors, colors or any other types of additives.

In 2006 Harris Interactive took a survey which reported that 83 percent of the U.S. population would prefer the government define 'natural'. The root of this is based on the increase in consumer awareness to maintain all natural diets. In a survey taken by the Natural Marketing Institute in 2004, The amount of people that prefer consuming all natural food and beverages is 63 percent.

According to Mintel Global New Products reports, the term 'All Natural' was present in 2,617 food products and 542 beverages in the United States. That put the term 'All Natural' the third largest claim for foods and the fourth largest claim for beverages.