Tag: corn syrup

  • HFCS Producers’ Counterclaims in Sugar Producers’ Suit Remain in Play

    A federal court in California has denied the motion to dismiss defendants’ counterclaims filed by plaintiff sugar producers in a dispute between them and companies that make high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and promoted it in a national campaign claiming that “HFCS is corn sugar,” “HFCS is natural,” and “sugar is sugar.” W. Sugar Coop. v.…

  • HFCS Makers Sued for Causing Teen’s Type 2 Diabetes

    The parent of a 14-year-old with type 2 diabetes has sued several companies that make high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), alleging that the substance is “toxic” and its consumption caused the teen’s disease. S.F. v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., No. 13-634 (W.D.N.Y., filed June 17, 2013). The complaint details the purported effects of HFCS on the human body, asserting…

  • Court Allows Third Amended Complaint in Suit Claiming HFCS Is Not “Natural”

    A federal court in California has granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed by General Mills in litigation alleging that certain of its Nature Valley® products are deceptively labeled and advertised as “natural” because they contain sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), high-maltose corn syrup or maltodextrin and…

  • Plaintiffs Fail to Show HFCS Is Not “All Natural,” Class Decertified, Summary Judgment Entered

    A federal court in California has decertified and entered summary judgment against a statewide class alleging that AriZona Iced Tea beverages with “All Natural,” “100% Natural” and “Natural” labels violated state consumer protection laws because they contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and citric acid, ingredients alleged by the plaintiffs to be man-made. Ries v.…

  • Federal Court Dismisses “All Natural” False Claims Suit Against Arizona Beverage Maker

    After deciding that the plaintiff lacked standing to bring a consumer-fraud class action under the Class Action Fairness Act, a federal court in New Jersey has granted his motion to dismiss without prejudice, while denying the defendants’ cross-motion for partial summary judgment because it lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Robinson v. Hornell Brewing Co., No. 11-2183…

  • HFCS Allegedly Linked to Prevalence of Diabetes

    A recent study has reportedly linked the availability of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes across the world, raising questions about the sweetener’s impact on global human health. Michael Goran, et al., “High fructose corn syrup and diabetes prevalence: A global perspective,” Global Public Health, November 2012.…

  • “Natural” Consumer Fraud Claims Against Arizona Beverages Trimmed

    A federal court has agreed to certify a class of California consumers allegedly misled by representations that AriZona Iced Tea® is “Natural” because it contains the processed, man-made ingredients high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and citric acid. Ries v. Arizona Beverages USA LLC, No. 10-01139  (N.D. Cal., order entered November 27, 2012). But the court granted…

  • CRA Uses Mother Jones Exposé in Its Fight Against Big Sugar

    In a move that Mother Jones magazine calls “surreal,” The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has issued a press release using the magazine’s recently published exposé “Big Sugar’s Sweet Lies” as a “cudgel” in CRA’s battle with the sugar industry. The exposé outlines the alleged decades-long efforts by the U.S. sugar industry to influence the debate…