Once an outspoken critic of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), Michael Pollan has clarified his views. In a recent article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the noted food writer now says that research on HFCS shows that the ingredient is no worse than sugar when it comes to the consumer diet.
“I’ve done a lot to demonize [HFCS],” Pollan told the newspaper. “And people took away the message that there was something intrinsically wrong with it. A lot of research says that isn’t the case.”
Pollan, who is the author of the bestselling books “In Defense of Food” and “The Omnivore’s Dillema”, claims that the real problem with HFCS – like sugar — is that it is overused and over consumed. Pollen noted that HFCS a less expensive ingredient than sugar and, as a result, food and beverage manufacturers pumped a lot of it into much of what we eat and drink.
Pollen now worries that the widespread condemnation of HFCS has given rise to companies that utilize and promote sugar as a healthy alternative.
“Manufacturers started giving products made of real sugar health claims and [are] trying to make sugar look good,” Pollen said. “And that is a problem.”