New Multi-Media Campaign to ''Change the Conversation'' About High Fructose Corn...

New Multi-Media Campaign to ''Change the Conversation'' About High Fructose Corn Syrup

More Than Two-Thirds of Consumers Not Aware HFCS Is Similar to
Sugar
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) today announced it is
launching a multi-media advertising and public relations campaign to
change the conversation about high fructose corn syrup, which has been
the subject of considerable attention and misinformation.

"There are so many myths, inaccuracies and untruths associated
with this sweetener that we felt it was necessary to set the record
straight," said Audrae Erickson, president, Corn Refiners Association.
"We hope to provide balanced information about high fructose corn
syrup to allow consumers to make informed decisions based on science."

Most of the problem, according to Erickson, stems from the
confusion about what high fructose corn syrup really is. "Scientific
research continues to confirm that high fructose corn syrup is no
different from other sweeteners. It is essentially the same as table
sugar and honey, and has the same number of calories," she said.

Consumer Awareness of HFCS Facts Low

A recent national survey(1) indicates that the myths associated
with this sweetener have led many consumers to believe that it is
different from table sugar.

The survey revealed that two-thirds of household shoppers are
aware of high fructose corn syrup, yet they are not aware of the
similarities between high fructose corn syrup and table sugar.

-- More than two-thirds of consumers surveyed do not know that
high fructose corn syrup and table sugar have the same number
of calories

-- Only 19 percent of survey respondents understand that table
sugar and high fructose corn syrup have the same sweetness

-- Almost two-thirds of those surveyed do not understand that
high fructose corn syrup contains the same simple sugars -
glucose and fructose - as table sugar

Campaign Busts Common Myths

Among the frequently published myths, high fructose corn syrup is
often labeled unnatural and is accused of being uniquely responsible
for obesity.

High fructose corn syrup meets the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration's guidelines for the use of the term natural. "HFCS,
like table sugar and honey, is natural," Erickson said. "It is made
from corn, a natural grain product and contains no artificial or
synthetic ingredients or color additives."

Additionally, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that high
fructose corn syrup is uniquely responsible for the country's obesity
rates. In fact, a recent decision by the American Medical Association
concluded that "high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute
more to obesity than other caloric sweeteners."

"No single food or ingredient is the cause of obesity," said James
M. Rippe, cardiologist and biomedical sciences professor at the
University of Central Florida. "Eating too many calories and getting
too little exercise are primary causes."

The caloric density of high fructose corn syrup and sugar are
equal - four calories per gram. "There is no difference in how the
body metabolizes these sweeteners," Rippe said. "They're
indistinguishable once they reach the bloodstream."

Consumption of high fructose corn syrup has been dropping in
recent years, yet the rates of obesity and diabetes in the U.S.
continue to rise, Rippe added. "And in many other parts of the world,
obesity and diabetes are on the rise despite having little or no high
fructose corn syrup."

Campaign Shares Facts

CRA's new campaign will seek to communicate the facts about HFCS
to consumers and opinion leaders.

Newspaper, magazine and television advertisements will be a
central component of the campaign, along with on-going outreach
efforts to health professionals.

Consumers can find science-based information about high fructose
corn syrup at www.sweetsurprise.com.

CRA is the national trade association representing the corn
refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its
predecessors have served this important segment of American
agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch,
oil and other products from corn.

www.corn.org

(1) Survey of 1,610 adults age 18 and older, conducted by The MSR
Group, March 28-April 11, 2008, on behalf of the Corn Refiners
Association. The maximum margin of error is +/- 2.4 percent.

For Corn Refiners Association
Audrae Erickson, 202-331-1634

Copyright Business Wire 2008