The New York Times is reporting today that the Corn Refiners Association is lobbying the United States Food and Drug Administration hard to allow them to change the name of their number one product "High Fructose Corn Syrup" to the simple and sweet sounding "corn sugars." One name defines exactly what it is - a highly processed corn sweetener and the other name describes basically what it is - sugar. One might wonder why we as consumers would need to only know basically what it is rather than exactly what it is and why that would be better for us?
Of course, that is exactly why the Corn Refiners Association is lobbying for the change - a DEEP CONCERN FOR THE CONSUMER. Apparently they have been laying awake at night worrying that we are overly informed in regard to their product and as a result might be denying ourselves something fantastic. Their solution is to give the consumer slightly less information about their product so that we can make better decisions. (Kind of like watching FOX news and then voting.)
"Clearly the name is confusing consumers," said Audrae Erickson, President of Corn Refiners Association. "Research shows that 'corn sugar' better communicates the amount of calories, the level of fructose, and the sweetness in this ingredient."
Apparently we consumers are under the impression that high fructose corn syrup isn't good for us and may pose a danger to our health. Since the Corn Refiners Association disagrees with the consumers assessment of their product (we are just confused), but are still unable to convince us that they are exactly the same as plain sugar, despite big advertising campaigns meant to do so, they have been left no choice but to try to clear it all up with a name change. Just like the cavalry "here they come to save the day."
Has anybody ever heard of a company called AIU Holdings ltd.? They are a mega-large insurance company that recently took millions of tax payer dollars to cover their you know whats. Doesn't sound familiar? Think American International Group or more popularly known as AIG. Apparently the highly payed individuals working at AIG felt consumers might be "confused" if they know who and what they really were so decided to go for the big name change.
It looks like the Corn Refiners Association is following very proud footsteps in the role of looking out for the American consumer. I have to remember to send them a thank you note for their selfless concern.
If you want to weigh in on this with the FDA they have six months to accept or deny the name change petition.
