Lengthy Legal Dispute Over High Fructose Corn Syrup Reaches Settlement
23 Nov 2015 --- Sugar producers and makers of high fructose corn syrup, who have been locked in battle since 2011, have reached an undisclosed settlement. The dispute, which centres on how makers of sugar products and high fructose corn syrup, who are in competition for market share, promote their products to the public.
On the basis of a false-advertising claim, sugar producers were seeking $1.5 billion in the case, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP).The defendants in the case, including Archer Daniels Midland (ADM; Chicago), Cargill (Minneapolis), and corn refiners, would eventually go on to countersue for $530 million based on what they considered false and misleading statements from the sugar industry, such as the claim that high fructose corn syrup is as addictive as crack cocaine, according to the AP.
In terms of nutrition and metabolism, scientists claim to have found that as HFCS has nearly the same make-up as sugar (45% glucose: 55% fructose, as opposed to 50:50 for sugar). This could mean that it has the same effect on the body, which is why makers of HFCS claim that the product is the same as sugar.
In a joint statement, the Sugar Association and the Corn Refiners Association said: “The parties jointly announce today that they have reached a settlement of a lawsuit pending in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The Parties continue their commitments to practices that encourage safe and healthful use of their products, including moderation in the consumption of table sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners.”
