PORTLAND, Ore. — The sugar industry is seeking some sweet revenge. A group of sugar farmers and refiners have filed a lawsuit against several corn processors and their lobbying group for their effort to rebrand high-fructose corn syrup as “corn sugar.”
Denver-based Western Sugar Cooperative, Michigan Sugar Co. and C&H Sugar Co. Inc. are asking the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to end the corn industry campaign that markets high-fructose corn syrup as a natural product that is equivalent to sugar.
They say the campaign constitutes false advertising and are seeking compensation for lost profits and corrective advertising. Representatives of the corn industry said the case has no merit.
High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener used in products including soda, cereal, bread and ketchup. Americans’ consumption of corn syrup fell to a 20-year low last year as concerns grow about its health and environmental impact.
Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are nutritionally the same, most health experts say. And people should consume less of all sugars.
Companies named as defendants include Archer Daniels Midland Co., Cargill Inc., Corn Products International Inc., Penford Products Co., Roquette America, Inc., Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas Inc. and the companies’ marketing and lobbying organization, The Corn Refiners Association Inc.
Penford is a unit of Centennial-based Penford Corp.
