Mercury Detected in Products Containing High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Two new studies suggest that some foods and drinks made with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contain detectable levels of mercury, a toxic metal historically used as an antimicrobial.

Mercury is a neurotoxin, and high levels of exposure can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to mercury toxicity.

In the first study, published by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), researchers collected HFCS samples from 55 products rich in HFCS.

Of the 55 products tested, 17 (or nearly 31 percent) had detectable levels of mercury. These products include:

• Quaker Oatmeal To Go Bars: 350 parts per trillion (ppt)
  
• Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce (Heinz): 300ppt
• Hershey's Chocolate Syrup: 257ppt
• Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce: 200ppt
• Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars: 180ppt
• Manwich Gold Sloppy Joe: 150ppt
• Market Pantry Grape Jelly: 130ppt
• Smucker's Strawberry Jelly: 100ppt
• Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry: 100ppt
• Hunt's Tomato Ketchup: 87ppt
• Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing: 72ppt
• Coca-Cola Classic: 62ppt
• Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt: 60ppt
• Berry Minute Maid Punch: 40ppt
• Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink: 30ppt
• Nesquik Chocolate Milk: 30ppt
• Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk: 30ppt

However, the results are limited because the authors only tested one sample of each product. In addition, the type of mercury present in the samples is unknown. The lab only tested for total mercury levels, not methylmercury (typically found in seafood) or other specific types of mercury. The authors also noted that although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a "reference dose" for methylmercury, there is currently no such standard for total mercury. Therefore, it is unclear how, if at all, these detected levels would affect human health.

Although the study does not prove that HFCS is the source of the mercury, the authors note that mercury can be used to make caustic soda. Yet, Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, released a statement saying that this technology is no longer used in the United States.

In the second study, published in Environmental Health, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. This study also did not specify the form of mercury present in the HFCS.

The Corn Refiners Association questions the relevancy of this trial. "This study appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance," according to a public statement released by Erickson. "Our industry has used mercury-free versions of the two re-agents mentioned in the study, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda, for several years. These mercury-free re-agents perform important functions, including adjusting pH balances."

Additional studies are needed to fully understand the possible link between HFCS and mercury as well as how this contamination may affect human health.

For more information about mercury, please visit Natural Standard's Environmental Resources database.

Comments

[Kat]

This is interesting to think about, but I think if we looked for other certain elements in foods or other materials, it is likely that we would find what we are looking for, at least somewhere. The amounts they found in these foods were measured in ppt, or parts per trillion, so you can imagine how small that is (fish has more than that!). Definitely more testing needed here, but interesting nonetheless.

[julia b]

Given the dangers of mercury, this news of its presence in many commons food products is alarming. I counted four that are in my kitchen right now, and which my children eat regularly. Still, I find it odd that the researchers who went to the trouble of conducting this study did not take the time to test more than ONE sample of each product? That is hard to understand, and as the write up here points out, calls some of these results into question.

I'm curious about how the tested products in the second study could have been "outdated." Is Erickson implying that old products were tested? Or that old standards were used?

[Lavender]

Did the study published in Environmental Health specify the form of mercury present in the high-fructose corn syrup?

[Alexander]

Dr. Carl Winters, PhD, a toxicologist, stated that he would imagine that a good majority of the mercury that was detected would have been in the form of elemental mercury, not methylmercury. Winter, who directs the FoodSafe Program at the University of California, Davis, says that methylmercury is by far the most toxic form of mercury because methylmercury is better absorbed by the body than other forms of mercury.

[Ahmed]

I presume this is to inform the public of possible traces of mercury in common snack foods. The amount stated to be found in those foods -- are they for real? Because parts per trillion to me seem to be very minimal to be concern of.

[Edson]

It is very scary to think that mercury could be found in the products that were listed. It's been noted that tuna contains high levels of mercury, and pregnant women should not eat it, but what if they were eating the other products?

[Tales]

Mainly all the foods that were listed seemed to be sweet products. Is there a link between mercury and sweet products?

[Rachel]

How is food being regulated in the U.S.? What are the rules and regulations being used to insure the safety of the products before they are available for consumption?

[Sara]

Rachel, on NPR news, I heard something interesting about food regulation now that there was the salmonellae peanut butter outbreak. Either they give the FDA more money to buy the machinery necessary to test the foods before they go out on the market, or they should no longer have the FDA in charge of food products. Apparently, they are understaffed for the amount of work they have with the drug industry alone.

[DDE]

Before this can tell if this has a big impact on health, we really have to know what the total mercury count does, and they tested just one sample! Was it randomized in the proper fashion? I really don't think this study is very good.

[Manoela]

I agree with DDE. I also think that if you are consuming the products in moderation, it shouldn't have an affect.

[Brigida]

I was listening to NPR news, and they were talking about the salmonellae outbreak and what measures are being used to control the quality of food products. The FDA apparently either needs to be funded more in order to meet the demands, or food products need to be reassigned to another association because the drug industry is consuming their time.

[Fannie]

What form of mercury was detected in these food products? There is elemental mercury and methylmercury. Methylmercury is the more toxic form of mercury, and this is because methylmercury is better absorbed into the body than other forms of mercury. I personally believe it is not the presence of mercury in these products that makes them toxic, it is the amount consumed. Just like with drugs, taking too much does lead to overdose and eventually to irreversible damage.

[Mae]

A report from the director of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) in Minneapolis suggests that the mercury detected in these products might not be from the high-fructose corn syrup but from the technique used in making high-fructose corn syrup. It is said that this technique or technology uses mercury to make caustic soda, which is used to make high-fructose corn syrup. As consumers, we probably want to find out how the high-fructose corn syrup was made and if mercury was used in the production of caustic soda?

[Justin]

Personally, I am interested in the stance of the Food and Drug Administration on the amounts of mercury that were found on that list of foods. Also, are the manufacturers of these foods aware that their products actually contain mercury? Despite the surprise that I got from reading this, at the same time I do not feel like these foods should be considered dangerous considering that (from what I understand) there have been no reports of any harmful effects on the news.

[AJ]

It seems to me that everything nowadays is bad for you and causes some sort of problem. That all sounds very scary; however, I don't know if I would just stop eating, drinking or using products because of this limited information. I think that being smart about your own diet and consuming HFCS-containing foods in moderation are key points.

[Robin]

The FDA has put a regulation limit on the amount of mercury in bottled water to two parts per billion. The EPA has limited inorganic mercury levels in rivers, lakes and streams to 144 parts per trillion. Some of the levels in the foods cited here and less than the levels found in our natural waters.

[Justine]

I agree, DDE. These results require much more investigation before anything conclusive can be determined. The researchers should be looking at more than just one portion of a certain product so that the results are a bit more useful.

[jess]

A study of more than 50,000 U.S. nurses found that those who drank just one serving of soda or fruit punch a day tended to gain much more weight than those who drank less than one a month. They also more than an 80 percent increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. The risk pertained to drinks sweetened with either sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

[WHT]

Manoela, the FDA can't possibly check everything -- they are under-funded and probably always will be. They are chasing their tails now with the salmonella thing; they were chasing their tails during the heparin problem. Nobody ever cares until it is to late and someone dies. It is the nature of the beast. But assigning this stuff to another organization? I highly doubt that would improve anything.

[Mary]

We all aware of the dangers of mercury; I wonder why things like this keep happening. Since the authors only took samples of the products listed in this article, that means there are still lots of other products untested. This is not to mention a whole lot of products in the same batches of the ones listed above.

Why is there not more rigorous regulation regarding this matter in food?

[jawanu plawinu]

There is mercury in the new, spiral-style, energy-efficient, stop-global-warming, save-the-planet, compact-fluorescent light bulbs, and no one is saying anything about that. Mercury poisoning was a big problem 20 years or so ago, which is what led to the recall of the mercury thermometers, among other things. These light bulbs might last longer, but they certainly don’t last forever. To expose the environment to a problem that HAS happened in the past and STILL a problem now in order to possible avoid something that MAY happen in the future does not seem prudent.

I don’t know how this mercury in the light bulb thing got past all the environmental groups. Does Obama know? There are lower mercury bulbs (“Alto” bulbs”) that contain less mercury and therefore release less mercury when broken, but I think a more environmentally friendly, less neurotoxic option should be adopted.