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Hi Guys,
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Address:
CFSAN 5100 Paint Branch Parkway College Park, MD 20740
This is what I wrote in my letter...
To Whom It May Concern,
I need to ask a big a favor of you! Could you please write a letter to the FDA demanding that "High Fructose Corn Syrup" be plainly listed on ingredient labels. They are currently hiding HFCS under the label "Corn Syrup", saying that it is a GRAS substance (Generally Regarded As Safe). This is very misleading to Fructose Malabsorbers. Individuals with FructMal can have Corn Syrup, which is also called dextrose or glucose. Corn syrup in it's pure form does not contain fructose and is totally safe for them. HFCS, on the other hand, is not safe for them and causes all kinds of trouble - such as tummy upset, constipation, diarrhea, sleep disturbance, mood swings, and can cause Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth.
There is a lot of political debate going on right now with HFCS and the Corn Refiners Association wanting to change the name to "Corn Sugar"...further disguising HFCS. So far the FDA is not going along with CRA's campaign, but we need to change the current labeling! Fructose Malabsorption is becoming more prevalent and we need to let the FDA know that their false labeling is making people sick!
So if you have a few extra minutes, we would love for you to write a quick note to the FDA. They are required to respond to every letter within 60 days.
sent a letter off. I had no idea, no wonder somethings make me sick, and I can't figure out why.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this info.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHere is a comment from my friend, Mandi. I thought it was very well put...
I find it odd that they perceive it as "safe", but really that is a matter of perspective. No matter how it affects a person, it's deceptive to list it as anything other than what it is. To a parent with a typically healthy child, it may be a choice to not feed them HFCS. To a parent of a child with a fructal malabsorption issue, it's a danger that they need to be aware of. I don't feel it's the FDA's right to hide an ingredient under a veil of opinion. It seems just as easy to list it exactly as it is, and give consumers the option. By not disclosing it properly, it almost seems like they are pandering to an industry, instead of the consumers they are supposed to be protecting.
I'll work on a letter tomorrow too! You're right, HFCS is not safe for some, and would would devastate little Brycen's digestive tract if he were to ingest it. Do they have an e-mail address, or is it best to just send it through the mail? Thanks for this info Erin!! A. Lee
ReplyDeleteThe woman I spoke with today said a written or typed letter was best. She said they respond to all letters so it will be interesting to see what they say.
ReplyDeleteHere is a letter written by another FructMal Mama:
ReplyDeleteTo whom it concerns:
I am writing to ask that you PLEASE not allow foods with High Fructose Corn syrup to be labeled as just ‘Corn Syrup’ and as being a ‘GRAS‘ when clearly THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING! This is ridiculous! My 20 month old gets VERY sick when he ingests the smallest amount of fructose or HFCS, but he can safely eat corn syrup without any symptoms because it doesn’t contain any fructose. The labels can be is SO misleading! It’s unfair to people who suffer with Fructose Malabsorption to have to find out the hard way, because the FDA didn’t plainly state on the label that it contains HFCS. If it’s corn syrup, say it’s corn syrup. But PLEASE, if it’s HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, put this on the labeling so the millions of people who can’t tolerate fructose will not make the mistake of eating it!
THANK YOU!!
Hi, just saw this chain and wrote to the following message to the USFDA. I don't have children but do suffer from fructmal myself and want to educate anyone I can about it. Hope it helps!
ReplyDelete_____________________
Hello, I am writing to request clear and separate labeling on food packaging for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as opposed to corn syrup (glucose). The most recent documentation I have found on your website is from the 1976 reports by the Select Committee on GRAS Substances; report 50 says:
Evidence exists that simple sugars, including glucose and fructose [and, therefore, corn sugar(dextrose), corn syrup including high-fructose corn syrup, and invert sugars] are cariogenic. However, in the quantities that these simple sugars are now consumed in processed foods, their contribution to formation of dental caries should be relatively small. If increased usage should occur, as seems likely, the contribution of these sugars to the occurrence of dental caries might become more important. Other than the contribution made to dental caries, there is no evidence in the available information on corn sugar(dextrose), corn syrup, and invert sugar that demonstrated a hazard to the public when they are used at levels that are now current and in the manner now practiced.
It may be that there is more recent documentation available but I have not seen it. In either case, I want to make you aware of a condition I suffer from (along with many others, and many more who are probably undiagnosed) called fructose malabsorption. Symptoms including extreme abdominal pain, bloating, and other GI symptoms depending on the individual are caused by consuming fructose in excess of glucose in the diet. This may be done by consuming foods with a naturally high fructose:glucose ratio (ex: apples, pears, honey, HCFS) or by consuming foods containing fructans chains, which when digested leave behind fructose in excess of glucose (ex: wheat, brown rice, garlic, onions, asparagus). Those who malabsorb fructose can consume glucose or equal glucose:fructose without experiencing GI symptoms. See this 2011 scientific article (http://www.unizar.es/depfarfi/unidad_fisiologia/Temas%20Teoria/Biotecnologia%20Aplicada/05.Fructose_AJP2011.pdf) for an explanation of the mechanism.
My point is that it is difficult enough to avoid foods that naturally cause symptoms without having to worry about being fooled by packaging that looks safe (contains "corn syrup") and yet isn't (because the "corn syrup" is actually HFCS). My personal workaround is to select whole foods that I know are safe, cook all my food at home instead of eating in restaurants, and avoid packaged foods altogether except those which I know are completely safe for me. Not everyone is able to eat that way, and as awareness of fructose malabsorption grows it will become important for consumers to be sure which "corn syrup" is in their prepared or packaged food.
Thank you for your time. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding fructose malabsorption.
Wonderfully said! Thank you for sending your letter!!
ReplyDelete