When was high fructose corn syrup developed?
1970s
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a fructose-glucose liquid sweetener alternative to sucrose (common table sugar) first introduced to the food and beverage industry in the 1970s.
Why did the food industry develop high fructose corn syrup?
United States. In the United States, HFCS was widely used in food manufacturing from the 1970s through the early 21st century, primarily as a replacement for sucrose because its sweetness was similar to sucrose, it improved manufacturing quality, was easier to use, and was cheaper.
Where did high fructose corn syrup come from?
Where does HFCS come from? HFCS is derived from corn starch. Starch itself is a chain of glucose (a simple sugar) molecules joined together. When corn starch is broken down into individual glucose molecules, the end product is corn syrup, which is essentially 100% glucose.
When did the US switch to high fructose corn syrup?
In 1984, a bomb went off in the food industry that forever changed the course of consumption: Coca Cola and Pepsi stopped using sugar in soft drinks, replacing it with high fructose corn syrup.
When was fructose invented?
Fructose was discovered by French chemist Augustin-Pierre Dubrunfaut in 1847, but the pioneering research on it and all sugars known at the time was conducted from 1884 to 1894 by German Nobel laureate Emil Fischer.
Why does America use high fructose corn syrup?
High fructose corn syrup is actually cheaper than granulated sugar in America. The government pays subsidies to farmers for corn. Many products made with this ingredient are going to be more affordable than foods made with whole, natural ingredients. Fast food is also a cheap option.
Why do food producers almost always use HFCS instead?
High Fructose Corn Syrup today But there is another reason the food industry loves to use HFCS instead of sugar: lower manufacturing costs. From a production perspective, HFCS saves time and labor. As a liquid, it can be pumped out of containers on trucks straight into a manufacturing facility’s holding tanks.
Why is high fructose corn syrup banned in Europe?
In America, high-fructose corn syrup is widely used because it’s so much cheaper than pure sugar. In Europe, high-fructose corn syrup is restricted to adhere to production quotas enacted in the name of economic fairness and competitiveness, not as a way to save people’s lives.
When did Coca-Cola stop using real sugar?
Until 1979, the Coca-Cola Co. used only sugar as a sweetener. In 1980, the company began blending corn syrup with sugar, using as much as 50 percent of the substitute.
Why is HFCS so cheap?
It’s Cheaper High fructose corn syrup is actually cheaper than granulated sugar in America. The government pays subsidies to farmers for corn. Many products made with this ingredient are going to be more affordable than foods made with whole, natural ingredients. Fast food is also a cheap option.
Why is high fructose a trend?
However, since the 1970s, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has gained popularity with food processors as a sweetener, a change stimulated by sugar agricultural policies that have raised the price of sugar well above its world level, and the emergence of cheaper sweeteners based on corn.
What is different about mcdonalds Coke?
Typically, restaurants get their soda syrups in plastic bags, but Coca-Cola does something different for McDonald’s. The fast food chain gets its Coke syrup delivered in stainless steel tanks. According to the New York Times, the material keeps the soda fresher, and your tongue can taste the difference.
Why is it called Mexican Coke?
MexiCoke, as it is also called, is imported from Mexico and is sweetened by pure cane sugar, rather than the corn syrup found in the American version. Devotees say it delivers a sugar-infused, caffeine-amplified buzz, which is a particular draw for stay-up-all-night coders, writers and musicians.
Why do companies use HFCS instead of sucrose?
Because HFCS is a liquid, it does not need to be dissolved in water like sucrose does. The use of HFCS in foods and beverages began in the late 1960s, and its use has increased exponentially since primarily because it is easier and cheaper to produce and use.