Many foods and drinks rich in high-fructose corn syrup were found to contain mercury, according to researchers of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, a nonprofit group based in Minneapolis.

 

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that replaced sugar in many products like cereals, lunch meats, soups, breakfast bars, yogurts and condiments. The researchers found that nearly one in three of 55-brand name foods chosen for analysis contained mercury. The chemical was most common in dairy products, dressings and condiments.

 

“This seems like an avoidable source of mercury that we didn't know was out there," said David Wallinga, one of the study's co-authors and a researcher at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

 

Wallinga said he followed up on another report published in the current issue of Environmental Health, which found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup.     

   

It is estimated that Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of high-fructose corn syrup, but children may consume 80 percent more of the sweetener than average. Given the findings, they are even more exposed to the effects of mercury.

 

Recent studies have shown that mercury may cause health problems for adults, including an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and neurological symptoms. Moreover, in 2004 the U.S. government warned women who were pregnant or might become pregnant and children to limit consumption of canned tuna because the mercury it contained could damage developing nervous systems. Children and fetuses are most vulnerable to the metal’s toxic effects.

 

The Corn Refiners Association said the study “appears to be based on outdated information of dubious significance.” Moreover, the group insisted their products are mercury-free.