The US Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has said high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is not responsible for rising obesity levels in the US.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The defence of HFCS comes in response to a commentary in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which linked a rise in consumption of high fructose corn syrup to a rise in obesity.


“No single food ingredient, including high fructose corn syrup, is the culprit behind the nation’s obesity epidemic. Increased caloric intake and lack of physical activity are to blame,” the CRA said.


The CRA added that the ratio of fructose to glucose in the American diet is little changed from thirty years ago.


“Moreover, it is important to note that obesity is also on the rise in Mexico and Europe, both of which do not consume HFCS,” the CRA said. 

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

The commentary was written by Dr. George A. Bray, Boyd professor at the Louisiana State University System’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and Dr. Barry M. Popkin and Samara Joy Nielsen from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now