Sign the Online Petition to Ben&Jerry's: stop using corn syrup and HFCS

[tuggle]

A special thanks to ColbertWatcher for help with my letter to Ben & Jerry's. I have married the two drafts and I think it looks great.

The link to my petition if you'd like to sign it or forward it to your friends is:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ben-jerrys-please-remo...

I am not ready to give up my support for this company because of their progressive stance on rGBH etc., and their ice cream is delicious! Thus, I will from this point on, only buy those ice creams without corn syrup or HFCS. In doing my research, I found that Michael Pollan is a wonderful advocate for sustainable agriculture and the improvement of the American diet by reducing consumption of corn. I think I'll buy his books, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "The Botany of Desire."

Thanks again for your help!!!
Beth

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Here's the full text of the letter:

Many loyal consumers of Ben & Jerry's ice cream have conscientiously purchased these products to the exclusion of others because of the company's opposition of rGBH, rBST, and antibiotic use in dairy products. We support Ben & Jerry's in the fight against Monsanto's bullying tactics to restrict labeling of their products. As the public becomes more informed about the ingredients added to their foods, we ask that Ben & Jerry's help end the pervasive use of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in America's diet by discontinuing their use of it in their ice cream.

HFCS has been shown to be dangerous to the overall health of consumers as well as to the environment. Author and advocate for a sustainable agriculture, Michael Pollan (The Omnivor%u2019s Dilemma & The Botany of Desire) writes extensively about the health problems and environmental damage associated with the consumption of corn syrup and HFCS.

In his July 18th, 2002, NY Times Op Ed article, %u201CWhen a Crop Becomes King,%u201D Pollan brings to our attention the correlation between ingestion of corn syrup and the epidemic of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A recent study found that high levels of fructose in the diet are associated with increased triglyceride levels, which may begin to explain this recent epidemic of health problems. Importantly, the massive span of US corn crops is contributing to serious and lasting damage to our environment by using more nitrogen fertilizer and pesticide than any other crop, contributing to soil destruction and the large scale death of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. Pollan writes, "The problem in corn's case is that we're sacrificing the health of both our bodies and the environment by growing and eating so much of it.

It is the belief of the signatories to this petition, a leader in the industry such as Ben & Jerry's can help end the use of corn syrup and HFCS by using more natural and healthy alternatives to these sweeteners. The use of corn syrup in Ben & Jerry's ice cream is inconsistent with the political, environmental, and public health awareness previously embraced by Ben & Jerry's, and we believe it is irresponsible to use such ingredients for the sole purposes of reducing costs.

Ben & Jerry's can continue to lead American food manufacturing by ending their use of corn syrup in all their products. Your attention to this serious health and environmental concern is greatly appreciated.
We wish to thank you for taking the time to read this petition.

[Occam Bandage]

1. Unless I'm badly mistaken, the problem with HFCS is not that it is intrinsically worse than sugar,

but rather that it is significantly cheaper than sugar (as well as having a slightly stickier/worse taste). Therefore, it is used to make things both sweeter and cheaper than they could otherwise be made, leading to higher consumption of higher-calorie foods.

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2. You're mostly correct about the health research

Many studies have not shown any significant differences in health due to corn syrup, other than a few mouse studies. There are some more recent data suggesting it is metabolized differently and contributes to higher triglycerides. However, the economic and environmental damage is indisputable. So I am trying to remove corn products from my diet. I also resent that I have so few corn-free choices at the supermarket. Corn has just unbelievably permeated the American diet, and it's hard to get it (and hydrogenated oil) out of my diet without becoming a raw foods freak.

[Occam Bandage]

4. Corn is completely inescapable, yeah. You can't avoid it.

[FireFly70]

3. Although

Unless it is specifically noted as organic, the corn products are most likely coming from genetically modified corn fields, thanks to the likes of Monsanto. It is very hard to get away from it now adays. Cooking oils, sodas, catsup, the list goes on are filled with corn products.

[tuggle]

5. So true! Did you ever see the film "King Corn?"

I haven't yet, but I hear it's great. I did, however read the Harpers article "The Oil that We Eat" and I saw "The Corporation" and "The Future of Food" all with the same type of activist theme.

[L0oniX]

6. "catsup"? Oh noes ...oh the cruelty ...the poor little fuzzy kittens.

Ketchup on your kitten anyone?