A controversial commercial by the Corn Refiners Association told consumers that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is “made from corn, it’s natural, and like sugar is fine in moderation.” Over the weekend, SNL broadcasted its take on HFCS-pushing ads, which included an appearance by Bridesmaids star and writer Kristen Wiig. (Video below)
The Corn Refiners Assocation’s series of commercials has tried to convey the message that HFCS is just as safe as regular cane sugar, as long as you consume it “in moderation.” But is HFCS really the same as cane sugar? In a recent article in Mother Jones, experts said HCFS really isn’t that different than regular sugar: both are pretty bad for you, and Americans eat far too much of both. The HFCS lobby wants to make sure consumers know that HFCS is just as bad (or as good) as sugar, and to wit, are lobbying the FDA for the ability to re-label HFCS as “corn sugar.” If the corn lobby does win that victory, I’m sure a new slew of commercials (and parodies) will be in production soon after.
