High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a caloric sweetener derived from corn. It is suitable for use in a wide range of beverages and foods, including ready-to-eat cereals, meat products, sauces, condiments, soft drinks and other beverages. Although HFCS has replaced sucrose in many prepared foods and beverages in the U.S., sucrose remains the primary sweetener used in the U.S. and around the world.
Composition, Safety and Metabolism
High fructose corn syrup was given its name to distinguish it from regular corn syrup. Regular corn syrup contains 100% glucose, which is only about 65% as sweet as sucrose (granulated sugar). In the 1970s, food researchers learned how to convert some of the glucose in corn syrup into fructose, which is sweeter than glucose. The sweetener developed for use in soft drinks had a sweetness level comparable to sucrose and was called HFCS55 because it contained 55% fructose.