Corn-based Sweeteners
AdditiveOverview
High fructose corn syrup is an industrial liquid sweetener produced through enzymatic processing of corn starch, creating formulations of 42% or 55% fructose content. HFCS appears in approximately two-thirds of ultra-processed foods and packaged beverages, serving as a definitive marker of industrial food processing under NOVA classification systems.
637,540
Products contain this
10,010
Ingredient variations
Common forms
High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin
Function
HFCS provides enhanced sweetness profiles while serving multiple technical functions including moisture retention, texture modification, and crystallization prevention in manufactured foods. The liquid form enables precise dosing in automated production lines, while its fructose-glucose composition prevents sugar crystallization during extended shelf storage of processed foods.
Sources
HFCS manufacturing involves corn wet milling followed by enzymatic conversion using alpha-amylase and glucose isomerase to transform corn starch into concentrated fructose-glucose syrups. The multi-step industrial process requires sophisticated equipment for enzymatic processing, purification, and concentration that cannot be replicated in traditional food preparation.
Health Considerations
HFCS consumption has been associated with increased caloric intake in ultra-processed foods, though the FDA states it is not aware of safety differences between HFCS and other nutritive sweeteners with similar glucose-fructose ratios. Products containing HFCS typically accumulate multiple processing penalties due to co-occurring industrial additives.
Regulatory
The FDA classifies HFCS as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) under 21 CFR 184.1866, approving formulations containing no more than 55% fructose for food manufacturing. Current regulations require clear ingredient labeling but do not mandate disclosure of fructose concentration levels in finished products.
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Corn-based Sweeteners
Showing 12 of 637,540 products, sorted by processing level