Metal in my sweetener...what's next?

It is a little disturbing to see that the issue of mercury in corn syrup has flown under the radar for so long. What is becoming a media sensation, or should I say--quickly being drug out from under the rug while simultaneously being swept under the rug- is yet another issue with highly processed products. How long will people stand idly by and let their food be contaminated? How many articles on salmonella outbreaks, genetically modified food,etc will it take before people wake up and smell the organic coffee?! (And don't get me on the lack of regulation and policy concerning organics in supermarkets). What could be more important than knowing what's in your food? Seriously. Ignorance is not bliss--it's future medical bills that you can't possibly afford. We must get back to growing our own foods (or at least buying foods from local,organic farms) for our children and grandchildren's sake. It is time to focus on responsibility through sustainability.

Mercury Found in High Fructose Corn Syrup

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/fresh-greens/2009/01/28/mercury-found-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup.html

January 28, 2009 01:20 PM ET | Maura Judkis | Permanent Link | Print

Quantities of mercury have been found in high fructose corn syrup, the ingredient that has replaced sugar in many of our processed foods. Reports have also come out that the FDA knew about traces of the toxic substance in food, and sat on the information. This news comes out just as we've learned that the peanut butter factory responsible for the salmonella outbreak has a storied history of health violations. What a week for food safety.

Mercury in high fructose corn syrup affects many of the most popular foods in America, including yogurt, soda, candy, juice and jelly. Even a small amount of it can be seriously unhealthy.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms,� said IATP�s David Wallinga, M.D., and a co-author in both studies. �Given how much high fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply."

The Corn Refiners Association is disputing the results of the study, but a watchdog group's study turned up similar results. More research is needed to determine exactly which foods are affected, but some of the foods tested were from the brands Hershey's, Quaker, Hunt's, Manwich, Smucker's, Kraft, Nutri-Grain, and Yoplait. We've already read that high fructose corn syrup can contribute to obesity and diabetes. With this recent scare, will people take a turn away from processed foods to more natural eating habits? Or have processed foods become an irreplacable part of the American diet?

Other websites:
http://www.physorg.com/news152264729.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28877253/
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=96029
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/136879.php

A detailed explanation of how it got there:
http://www.sailhome.org/Concerns/BodyBurden/Sources3/CornSyrup.html