Comments on: One More Link in the Mercury-High Fructose Corn Syrup Chain: Autism

By: Audrae Erickson

Audrae Erickson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:02:35 +0000

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy report and the journal article it references fail to meet scientific standards for serious research and published literature. It would be wrong to conclude that there is any kind of food risk based on these reports.

No mercury or mercury-based technology is used in the production of high fructose corn syrup in North America.

In 1983, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration formally listed high fructose corn syrup as safe for use in food and reaffirmed that decision in 1996.

It is important to put these questionable findings into context. The mercury levels cited by these reports are far below levels of concern set by the federal government. For example, EPA sets limits for mercury in water at two parts per billion. In comparison, the authors measured levels at parts per trillion in foods with high fructose corn syrup. Trace amounts of mercury can be found in the air, water, soil, and many other foods. The authors admit that they cannot determine the source of the mercury cited in the report. The reports are also based on outdated information.

ChemRisk, Inc., a scientific consulting firm, examined the recent report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), “Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup,” and the Environmental Health journal report “Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product sugar,” by Dufault et al., 2009. The full analysis can be found at http://www.sweetsurprise.com/news-and-press/press-releases/hfcs-mercury-study-flawed.

Audrae Erickson
President
Corn Refiners Association

By: Weekly Sausage Links « What Would Jesus Eat?

Weekly Sausage Links « What Would Jesus Eat? — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:18:53 +0000

[...] HFCS + Mercury = Autism? [...]

By: Civil Eats » Blog Archive » DDT: Fine in Moderation? King Corn Takes on HFCS

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:02:24 +0000

[...] It’s the unfortunate truth that we’re exposed to environmental mercury from many sources just by walking out our front door. But it’s also true that the mercury found in the HFCS samples didn’t need to be there at [...]

By: Chas

Chas — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:03:52 +0000

Clarification: Despite RFK Jr’s attempt to make “Simpsonwood” some kind of sinister codeword for a clandestine meeting, it is merely the name of the popular conference center where the meeting in question took place. Also, Kennedy didn’t “stumble onto” the report, unless he tripped over the printed document, which there was never any attempt to suppress (it was embargoed briefly pending presentation to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices). Also, there was no coverup, as anyone who cares to read the report will find.

By: Chef Ann Cooper : Renegade Lunch Lady » Blog Archive » Mercury & Kids

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:33:13 +0000

[...] One More Link in the Mercury-High Fructose Corn Syrup Chain: Autism [...]

By: pcrossfield

pcrossfield — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:20:38 +0000

mommytoomany, I appreciate your perspective. However, the article intended to point out that there are a lot of unknowns about our mercury exposure (via the environment around us, as well as vaccines, fish, fillings and now HFCS) and sought to push the government into doing what is in all of our interest, whether we be parents of autistic children or just individuals worried about our body burden of mercury. It is important for us to have all of the facts, and for the country to take responsibility for cleaning up this mess.

By: mommytoomany

mommytoomany — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:22:10 +0000

I wish the media and the “militia” would step away from the mercury connection and autism.
My youngest son is severely affected by autism. No MMR shot has ever touched his body. I do not eat fish and nor does he. He is 7 years old, and he has had only 1 vaccination in his whole little life with absolutely no thimerasol in it.
Parent’s need someone or something to blame (I mean bash) for the rates of Autism.
Get ready corn syrup industry, the militia is headed your way.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:37:30 +0000

Phenomena occuring simultaneously do not necessarily prove cause and effect. Polluting heavy industries are generally situated near low-income neighborhoods which may have less access to pre- and post-natal health care and a host of other factors that could influence autism rates.

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:12:44 +0000

Thimerosal was an unnecessary exposure to mercury…Is HFCS a *necessary* exposure? I think not.

HFCS should be eliminated, as well. Regardless of whether or not mercury is a cause or factor in autism, it’s not good for us, period. It shouldn’t be in our food, and it’s the FDA’s duty to make sure it’s not.

By: Alice

Alice — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:23:17 +0000

The Simpsonwood report only showed a correlation of data. Thimerosal was phased out of vaccines because it is an unnecessary exposure to mercury. But vaccines have never, ever been shown to cause autism despite many large, carefully controlled studies.

Can you reference some studies which demonstrate that mercury poisoning causes autism?