“In moderation”
January 28, 2009emily 4 Comments »Have you seen those Corn Refiners Association commercials about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? Here’s one, and here’s another. What’s hysterical about these commercials is the line that “in moderation,” HFCS is just fine. In moderation. Hmm. An interesting phrase, really, considering that HFCS is in damn near everything we eat and drink in this country. It’s not just in the obvious things like soda, fruit drinks, and pancake syrup. Do you like canned soup? It’s in there. Spaghetti sauce? Yup. Bread? Uh huh. Cereal? For sure. Ketchup? Yessir. Even cottage cheese, crackers, salad dressing, yogurt, pickles, sandwich meats, and so much more. You have to go well out of your way to avoid it, in fact. So, how exactly is one supposed to consume HFCS “in moderation”? I agree with the commercials’ statement that we need to “get the facts” about HFCS. I just don’t think that the Corn Refiners Association is the place to find said facts.
Posted on January 28th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
…and, of course, just like many pharmaceutical companies (and other stuff… I’m blanking now): WHY THE HECK DO YOU NEED TO ADVERTISE ANYWAY??!!?
Is someone going to look into HFCS and decide they need to consume more or become some kind of Corn Refiner Advocate?
Sheesh.
Posted on January 28th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I found a great response to this PR campaign, posted by one of the guys who made the documentary King Corn. The post comes complete with a spoof ad that points out the echos of the tobacco industry in the HFCS commercials. Here’s the URL:
http://civileats.com/2008/12/10/sweet-surprise-corn-syrup-campaign-misses-the-point/
Posted on January 28th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Oh, yeah…and here’s one good answer to the question, "What’s so bad about HFCS?"
http://civileats.com/2009/01/27/is-high-fructose-corn-syrup-turning-us-into-mad-hatters/
Posted on January 28th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
a few years ago I decided to start cutting back on this stuff and discovered it was everywhere! The worst occurrence? In salad dressing I was given on a plane (you know, back when airlines gave you such things). Those commercials just irk me.