As a concerned citizen, I am deeply bothered by the continued use of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in our food and beverages. Though some argue about its safety compared to other sweeteners, I believe the focus should be broader than just health. There are also economic, environmental, and ethical factors to consider. I see banning HFCS as a key step towards higher-quality food and beverage production in our country.

According to the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University, HFCS is a key player in the obesity epidemic, contributes to increased risks of type II diabetes, and may be addictive. Moreover, the production of corn requires a substantial amount of water and the heavy use of nitrogen fertilizers, damaging our environment (Environmental Health News).

Yet the HFCS industry continues to boom due to government subsidies, creating distorted markets and undermining local farmers producing healthier alternatives. The time has come to reconsider the place HFCS has in our society and our food system.

This is a plea to the United States Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We urge you to re-evaluate the legality of HFCS's production and usage, given the myriad of issues it presents and the shadows it casts on the pursuit of quality in our food and beverage industry.

Let's encourage higher industry standards, safer practices, less environmental damage, and better health for all Americans. Please sign this petition to ban high-fructose corn syrup in the United States.

• Economic Concerns
  • Decline in HFCS consumption: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports a reduction in HFCS production due to higher corn prices and shifting consumer preferences, impacting HFCS-dependent industries. (USDA)
  • Health-related economic costs: Research links HFCS-laden sugary drinks to health issues like type 2 diabetes, contributing to billions in healthcare costs. (Food & Wine)
  • Impact of potential bans: Banning HFCS could negatively affect corn farmers and the agricultural economy, leading to decreased corn demand. (The Guardian)
    • Counterpoint: While banning HFCS may reduce corn demand in the sweetener market, alternative uses of corn–like biofuels, animal feed, and other food products–could offset the economic impact on farmers. Additionally, food and beverage companies can adopt alternative sweeteners like sucrose (cane sugar; table sugar), honey, invert sugar syrup (essentially liquid sucrose), or natural fruit extracts that can maintain product texture and consistency. Industry innovation in formulation and ingredient sourcing can help companies meet consumer demand for healthier products while retaining their offerings' qualities. (National Confectioners Association)
• Environmental Concerns
  • Intensive corn farming: HFCS production relies heavily on the cultivation of genetically modified corn, which is often grown in monoculture systems. These systems deplete the soil of essential nutrients, leading to decreased biodiversity and soil fertility. (USDA - Soil Health)
  • Water usage: Corn farming, particularly in areas like the Midwest, is highly water-intensive; in some regions, this puts significant pressure on local water supplies, exacerbating water scarcity issues.
  • Pesticide and fertilizer runoff: The heavy use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in large-scale corn farming leads to runoff into nearby waterways, resulting in water pollution, algal blooms, and the destruction of aquatic ecosystems. ()
  • Carbon footprint: The widespread reliance on corn production for HFCS contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This is not only due to the fossil fuels used in farming, but also the significant transportation emissions associated with moving corn across the country to processing plants. (EPA - Agriculture and Greenhouse Gases)
    
    • Counterpoint: While corn farming's environmental impact is a concern, it is important to recognize that transitioning away from HFCS and toward more sustainable agricultural practices can significantly reduce these environmental risks. Supporting farming methods like agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and crop diversification can improve soil health, reduce water usage, and minimize pesticide runoff. Additionally, increasing demand for alternative sweeteners like sucrose or invert sugar syrup could encourage farmers to diversify crops and adopt more sustainable practices. (USDA - Sustainable Agriculture)
• Ethical Concerns
  • Public health and corporate responsibility: HFCS has been linked to rising obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, yet major food and beverage companies continue to use it due to its low cost and high sweetness, prioritizing profit over public well-being.
  • Lack of consumer transparency: Many processed foods contain HFCS, sometimes under misleading ingredient names. Consumers may unknowingly consume excessive amounts, raising ethical concerns about informed dietary choices. (FDA - Food Labeling & Nutrition)
  • Disproportionate impact on low-income communities: HFCS-laden products are disproportionately marketed in low-income areas, where access to healthier alternative is limited. This exacerbates health disparities and contributes to diet-related illnesses. (NIH - Socioeconomic Disparities in Diet and Health) 
  • Unfair advantage for large agribusinesses: Government corn production subsidies favor large industrial farms, making it more difficult for small farmers practicing sustainable agriculture for market competition. This raises ethical concerns about economic fairness and food system monopolization.
    • Counterpoint: Shifting away from HFCS in the food industry can encourage companies to act more responsibly by prioritizing consumer health, ingredient transparency, and sustainable sourcing. Supporting ethical sweeteners (for example, sucrose from fair-trade sources, honey, and invert sugar syrup) can promote fairer agricultural practices and give consumers better choices.

I also encourage supporters and signers to contact senators and representatives and let them share concerns.