Citizens for Health Denounces High Fructose Corn Syrup Name Change

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Misleading advertising and unproven scientific claims made about High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) are being called "Food Identity Theft" by Citizens for Health, one of the nation's oldest and most respected consumer action groups.

The non-profit organization is mobilizing its roster of over 100,000 Americans to denounce the $50 million ad campaign sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) which implies that HFCS is the same as sugar, and oppose the CRA's petition filed with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to label HFCS as "corn sugar" on ingredients panels that would conceal this man-made sweetener from consumers.

"Millions of Americans are choosing to avoid products that contain HFCS.  But many don't know that the corporations that make it want to change the name High Fructose Corn Syrup to 'corn sugar,'" said James Gormley, Vice President and Senior Policy Advisor of Citizens for Health.  "If the FDA were to allow this, we'd never know if it's in the foods we're feeding our families."

Citizens for Health has launched a new website, www.FoodIdentityTheft.com, to expose the High Fructose Corn Syrup Name Game, as well as other food labeling deceptions that try to mislead shoppers.

The website contains links for consumers to contact the FDA to voice their opinions about the name change petition.  Already thousands of Americans have submitted comments on the HFCS issue, including Shape Up America (founded by former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop), noted nutritionist Marion Nestle, and the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, and the overwhelming majority oppose the HFCS name change.

Gormley added, "It's vital that we all take action. The High Fructose Corn Syrup industry is spending millions trying to deceive consumers.  We must insist the government protect our families from corporations that are lying to us and that are trying to steal our right to know exactly what's in the foods and beverages we buy."

About Citizens for Health

Funded by concerned consumers, non-profit partners, food growers, and businesses, Citizens for Health is a non-profit organization that provides over 100,000 supporters with consumer news, action alerts, and ways to demand access to healthy food, non-toxic products, and truthful, non-misleading health information.  More information is available at www.citizens.org.

SOURCE Citizens for Health