In the past week or so Dear GF and I have seen two TV commercials that are pro HCFS; more commonly known as High Fructose Corn Syrup. You can watch the first one and the second.

In both ads there is a product (the first one uses some generic fruit punch and the second one a popsicle) that is being discussed between two individuals. They go something like this:

• Person 1: You know that [product] has high fructose corn syrup in it.
• Person 2: Yeah, and?
• Person 1: Well, you know what they say about it.
• Person 2: No, what do they say about it?
• Person 1: Um….ah…um…
• Person 2: Maybe that it’s made from corn and is perfectly fine in moderation?

Before fading to black there is an overlay that reads Corn Refiners Association followed by a prompt to “get the facts” by going to their website.

Anyone with half a brain that hasn’t been completely programmed and brainwashed by corporations can tell that this ad is horse shit.

First of all, the “in moderation” line is deceptive considering the increasing number of products (including breads, cereals, sodas, condiments and others) that include it. It’s hard to consume something in moderation when it’s practically in everything that you pick up. In order to get away from consuming it you’ll have to move to pricier “natural” brands which is out of the grasp of many American families (especially in these economic times).

Second, and most importantly, both ads use “Person 1’s” lack of in depth knowledge of HFCS as crutch. So let me get this straight. If I can’t explain why something is bad for me then it’s good? This is a play right out of the tobacco lobbyists playbook. They denied and probably still do deny that their products are harmful. Many people can’t explain why diabetes is bad and we all know that we don’t want it. Heck, many people can’t explain off the top of our heads why ingesting Liquid Drano is bad for you (other than knowing that it’s poison) but we know better than taking a swig of it.

It’s not a surprise that Corn Refiners Association would produce these ads. Word of mouth advertising is against them and so is popular opinion (even if the average person can’t explain why). They must protect their brand even if it isn’t good for people.

I just hope that people see these ads for what they are.