Corn organization launches Web site to educate about sweeteners

WASHINGTON A trade organization representing the nation’s corn refiners has launched an advertising public relations campaign for high-fructose corn syrup.

The Corn Refiners Association has created a Web site, www.sweet-smarts.com, to “change the conversation” about the sweetener, which is found in food and beverage products ranging from soft drinks and juice to bread and yogurt.

“Scientific evidence continues to confirm that high-fructose corn syrup is no different from other sweeteners,” CRA President Audrae Erickson. “It is essentially the same as table sugar and honey and has the same number of calories.”

Some nutrition experts say that high-fructose corn syrup has contributed to the obesity epidemic. According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies have shown it to have adverse health effects on animals, though evidence in studies of humans is less clear.