High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener commonly found in products such as jelly, beverages and commercially baked goods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises consumers who are concerned about sugar intake to check ingredient labels for added sugars by other names, such as high fructose corn syrup. Products labeled sugar-free are not necessarily free of high fructose corn syrup.
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High fructose corn syrup is manufactured from corn starch in a process that converts dextrose to fructose. The sweetener typically contains either 42 or 55 percent fructose, according to the FDA. To convert 42 percent fructose corn syrup to 55 percent fructose, manufactures employ a process that concentrates the fructose portion, explains the FDA.
Products bearing the claim "sugar-free" on the label must meet certain criteria as established by the FDA. To qualify for the claim, a product must contain less than 0.5g of sugar per labeled serving. Although the FDA mandates that a product making this claim should be free of added sugar or any ingredient known to contain sugar, the organization does allow room for exceptions.
MayoClinic.com reports that high fructose corn syrup is the most frequently used sweetener in processed foods and drinks. A product containing high fructose corn syrup or other added sugars can make the "sugar-free" claim if specific criteria are met. If a product contains less than 0.5g of sugar but contains added sugar, the sweetener must be disclosed in the ingredient list.
Sweeteners in the ingredient list of products making "sugar-free" claims must be followed by an asterisk. In the notes under the ingredient list, the FDA requires that the label include one of the following statements: "adds a trivial amount of sugar," "adds a negligible amount of sugar" or "adds a dietary insignificant amount of sugar." The product must also be a low-calorie or reduced-calorie food or disclose that it is "not a reduced-calorie food" or "not for weight-control" on the label.
High fructose corn syrup, like other types of added sugars, can have a negative effect on your health. Too much sugar potentially leads to weight gain, inadequate nutrition and cavities, according to MayoClinic.com. Sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup can also increase triglyceride levels. To limit high fructose corn syrup in your diet, cut back on processed foods and choose naturally sweetened foods, such as fruit, more often.