The National Corn Growers Association supports a petition to allow manufacturers the option of using the term 'corn sugar' as an alternative name for high fructose corn syrup. Independent research demonstrates that the current labeling confuses American consumers. NCGA says this change will help bring clarity to the hot-button issue and emphasize the natural similarity between HFCS and sugar. The petition was filed by the Corn Refiners Association with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"NCGA hopes that the FDA will recognize that allowing manufacturers to use the term 'corn sugar' helps clarify the true nature of this product," said NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. "The current naming system, which uses the term 'high fructose corn syrup,' leads consumers to believe that this product is higher in fructose than other sweeteners. We know that this is simply not true."

CRA made its request in light of a continuous series of inexact scientific reports and inaccurate media accounts mischaracterizing the health and nutritional value of HFCS. In December 2008, the American Dietetic Association confirmed that high fructose corn syrup is "nutritionally equivalent to sucrose or table sugar" and that the sweeteners contain the same number of calories per gram. The ADA found that - once absorbed into the bloodstream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable.

By allowing HFCS the same naming convention as other processed sweeteners such as cane and beet sugar, the FDA will allow consumers to make informed choices based in strong, credible science. Once the FDA files the petition it will be open for public comment. NCGA will provide information to its members at that time.