Is Sugar More Natural Than Corn?
Posted: March 20, 2009
High fructose corn syrup (HCFS) is natural according to the FDA, but only products sweetened with sugar are getting that label on some new beverages.
A Forbes article today draws attention to new “natural” soft drink products being marketed that use sugar instead of HFCS, saying that the Corn Refiners Association may be losing its battle “to restore a tarnished image.”
PepsiCo is actually launching three new products – Pepsi Natural, Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback – all sweetened with “natural sugar.”
An all-new premium cola, Pepsi Natural is made with all-natural ingredients, including lightly sparkling water, natural sugar, natural caramel and kola nut extract….Pepsi and Mountain Dew are offering consumers a taste of the past with their own versions of Throwback, two new limited time only products inspired by the ’60s and ’70s, sweetened with natural sugar in a retro-look package.
We kind of get that same prejudice with sugarcane ethanol compared to corn ethanol – somehow it is more natural and better for the environment and the food supply – even though it takes land to produce it and is a food being made into fuel. Go figure.
The question with these sugar-based sodas will boil down to consumer demand. Do they taste good? Is it worth it to pay more for a “natural” premium soda, especially in the current economy? Time will tell if nature takes its course.
Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback will be available nationally for eight weeks only, beginning April 20.
