[Pharmwaste] HFCS and Hg...

[Pete Pasterz]

A list member asked that I repost this, since it did not display the text on the digest...

Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product sugar
Environmental Health 2009, 8:2doi:10.1186/1476-069X-8-2

Published:

26 January 2009

Abstract (provisional)
Mercury cell chlor-alkali products are used to produce thousands of other products including food ingredients such as citric acid, sodium benzoate, and high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is used in food products to enhance shelf life. A pilot study was conducted to determine if high fructose corn syrup contains mercury, a toxic metal historically used as an anti-microbial. High fructose corn syrup samples were collected from three different manufacturers and analyzed for total mercury. The samples were found to contain levels of mercury ranging from below a detection limit of 0.005 to 0.570 micrograms mercury per gram of high fructose corn syrup. Average daily consumption of high fructose corn syrup is about 50 grams per person in the United States. With respect to total mercury exposure, it may be necessary to account for this source of mercury in the diet of children and sensitive populations.
According to today's Grist Magazine, subsequent studies of processed food on store shelves have shown Hg from the ingredients processed with chlor-alkali...

þ Pete Pasterz, NCQRP
Cabarrus County Recycling and HHW
PO BOX 707
Concord, NC  28026
www.cabarruscounty.us/waste
If you're not for ZERO Waste, how much Waste ARE you for?

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