Four corn refiners fighting accusations that their claims that high fructose corn syrup is no different from table sugar are misleading have countersued, accusing the sugar industry’s trade association of ignoring science to argue its product is somehow healthier.
“The Sugar Association’s statements deceive consumers into believing that they will be healthier if they consume foods and beverages with processed sugar instead of HFCS [high fructose corn syrup],” wrote Gail Standish, a partner in the Los Angeles office of Winston & Strawn, who represents four corn refiners that filed counterclaims on September 4 against The Sugar Association Inc. “Americans should be consuming less of all added sugars, whether the source be processed sugar, HFCS, or any other kind of added sugar. Vilifying one kind of added sugar will not reduce Americans’ waistlines. Reducing all added sugars, and reducing caloric intake in general, will.”
