Fast Facts

Need answers now? In Fast Facts, you can quickly see how the facts on HFCS apply to your concern or industry. Select the facts you want to see by issue or industry. You can also find more answers in FAQs.

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5 Facts on the Business Case for HFCS
  1. Only 5% of consumers look for HFCS on the label.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  2. HFCS and sugar are nutritionally the same.
    - American Medical Association, June 2008; Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; Center for Science in the Public Interest, March 2010
  3. Only 2% of the approximately 20,000 new products launched annually claim to be HFCS-free.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, April 2011
  4. Switching to sugar can increase formulary and equipment costs, as well as retail prices.
    - David Guilfoyle, “The True Cost of Switching from HFCS to Sugar,” December 2010; USDA, Beverage Digest, Lafayette Associates Analysis
  5. Switching to sugar doesn’t increase market share.
    - The Nielsen Company, September 2012
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS CASE
5 Facts on Consumers and HFCS
  1. Fewer than 5% read food and beverage labels to check for the presence of HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  2. Consumers are 7x more likely to looks for calories than HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  3. Nearly 80% of consumers are concerned about total sugars, not a specific type.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  4. Seven times as many consumers say they limit or avoid all sugars as those who specifically try to limit or avoid HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  5. Fewer than 3% of consumers are avoiding or reducing their consumption of HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSUMERS AND HFCS
5 Facts on the Science of HFCS
  1. HFCS is not a unique cause of obesity and diabetes.
    - Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; American Medical Association, June 2008
  2. HFCS has the same calories as sugar.
    - Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; American Medical Association, June 2008
  3. Sugar and HFCS contain nearly the same one-to-one ratio of two sugars – fructose and glucose.
    - Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; American Medical Association, June 2008
  4. HFCS meets the Food and Drug Administration’s requirements for use of the term ‘natural’.
    - Food and Drug Administration, July 2008
  5. HFCS and sugar are nutritionally the same.
    - American Medical Association, June 2008; Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; Center for Science in the Public Interest, March 2010
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF HFCS
5 Facts on the Costs and Benefits of HFCS
  1. HFCS adds taste, texture, freshness and sweetness to foods.
    - International Food Information Council, April 2011
  2. Because it is a liquid, HFCS is easier to blend and transport.
    - John S. White, Ph.D., Caloric Sweetener Expert, July 2011
  3. As an ingredient, HFCS costs less than sugar.
    - LMC International, January 2012
  4. Switching to sugar can increase formulary and equipment costs, as well as retail prices.
    - David Guilfoyle, “The True Cost of Switching from HFCS to Sugar,” December 2010; USDA, Beverage Digest, Lafayette Associates Analysis
  5. In a Nielsen scan of 3,200 SKUs, HFCS-free products saw flat or falling sales.
    The Nielsen Company, September 2012
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ECONOMICS OF HFCS
5 Facts on HFCS for Food and Beverage Manufacturing
  1. HFCS and sugar are nutritionally the same.
    - American Medical Association, June 2008; Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; Center for Science in the Public Interest, March 2010
  2. HFCS has the same calories as sugar.
    - Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; American Medical Association, June 2008
  3. Fewer than 5% read food or beverage labels to check for the presence of HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  4. Switching to sugar can increase formulary and equipment costs, as well as retail prices.
    - David Guilfoyle, “The True Cost of Switching from HFCS to Sugar,” December 2010; USDA, Beverage Digest, Lafayette Associates Analysis.
  5. Companies that have switched to sugar have seen flat or falling market share.
    - The Nielsen Company, September 2012
SEE MORE INFO FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE
5 Facts on HFCS for Grocery Retailers
  1. Fewer than 3% of consumers are avoiding or reducing their consumption of HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  2. Fewer than 5% read food and beverage labels to check for the presence of HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  3. 7x as many consumers say they limit or avoid all sugars as those who specifically try to limit or avoid HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  4. Out of the 20,000 products launched in 2011, only 2% claimed to be HFCS-free.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, April 2012
  5. Companies that have switched to sugar have seen flat or falling market share.
    - The Nielsen Company, September 2012
SEE MORE INFO FOR GROCERS
5 Facts on HFCS for Chain Restaurants
  1. Fewer than 3% of consumers are avoiding or reducing their consumption of HFCS.
    - Mintel Research Consultancy, October 2012
  2. HFCS adds taste, texture, freshness and sweetness to foods.
    - International Food Information Council, April 2011
  3. HFCS has the same calories as sugar.
    - Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; American Medical Association, June 2008
  4. HFCS and sugar are nutritionally the same.
    - American Medical Association, June 2008; Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, May 2012; Center for Science in the Public Interest, March 2010
  5. As an ingredient, sugar costs more than HFCS and it is subject to price volatility.
    - David Guilfoyle, Half Baked Innovations, December 2010; NECG analysis, December 2011; Ross Korves, Economic Policy Analyst, June 2011
SEE MORE INFO FOR CHAIN RESTAURANTS

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MINTEL STUDY:
FEWER THAN 3% OF SHOPPERS SPECIFICALLY AVOID HFCS IN 12 HIGH-VOLUME F&B CATEGORIES

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Mintel Study:
Examines Consumer Concern Across 12 Top F&B Categories

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When it comes to sweeteners, making the right choice is critical to your brand and your bottom line.

At Corn Naturally, we'll help you make informed decisions with the latest facts on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from leading independent experts, including Mintel, Nielsen, NPD and top members and organizations of the scientific community. Come here for the tools and resources you need to make sound sweetener decisions.

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You may have specific questions and concerns related to your industry. Here's how Corn Naturally can help you find answers.

  • Are you considering a change in sweeteners used in your products? Before you act, get the facts. Find out what consumers really think about HFCS, understand the true cost of reformulation and learn the latest on sweetener science at Corn Naturally.

    For answers on the concerns facing your industry, go to the Food and Beverage Manufacturers page.

  • Wondering how the sweetener debate fits into your retail strategy? At Corn Naturally, you can see what independent, expert research and real-world data reveal about true consumer attitudes toward HFCS and actual purchasing behavior.

    For answers on the concerns facing your industry, go to the Grocery Retailers page.

  • Will adding HFCS-free products to the menu increase sales? Find out what consumers really think of HFCS and how reformulating can impact your operating costs at Corn Naturally.

    For answers on the concerns facing your industry, go to the Chain Restaurants page.