Whole Foods and High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Until today, I thought Whole Foods had banned high fructose corn syrup. I was safe in the knowledge, that there was one store at least, that I could shop in without reading every damn label. But it’s not to be. In addition to banning vegetable oils from my diet – no rapeseed (canola), corn, or peanut for me, I’ve long banned high fructose corn syrup. Long before Oprah was on the bandwagon, I determined it had no place in my diet.
So Ralphs was out the door. And Trader Joe’s can only be shopped for a few items. But now Whole Foods as well?
This is from an article on the subject:
Whole Foods Markets, which is known for product standards and has banned trans fat-containing hydrogenated oils, has not banned HFCS, but products with it are “the exception rather than the norm as in conventional markets,” a spokeswoman said. The company’s brand name sodas are made with cane sugar rather than HFCS, she noted
I’m on a home made salad kick. After a couple of weeks of paying $9 for salads that were mostly lettuce ribs and underripe avocados, I got a colorful salad book from the library. The first recipe: real Caesar salad.
I have a pretty full pantry – and had all the ingredients on hand, except Worcestershire sauce – which I’d given up years ago because HFCS is the third ingredient. So off I went to Whole Foods for their version of the sauce, and what did I find? Lea and Perrins worcestershire with the dreaded ingredient. A perusal led me to a bunch of products in that end cap – mostly sauces and condiments with HFCS. Is there no safe haven?
I, too, am disappointed in Whole Foods and their stand on HFCS. They’re selling convential Heinz Ketchup which is sweetened with HCFS and I was surprised by this (that they’re selling it–not that Heinz uses HFCS).
Now just *corn syrup*, when used as a thickening agent for some sauces I’m okay with–its when it’s used for a sweetener that I have a problem with . . .
Patrick
May 12, 2009 at 1:17 pm
In an attempt to woo customers who are looking for ‘value,’ WF is lowering their standards in many areas. It’s a sad commentary on corporate values overtaking core values.
foleydog
May 16, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I too love going to Wholefoods because I don’t have to read labels. I was shocked to find Heinz ketchup which contains HFCS. I told customer service only to find out a week later that they were still selling it. About a week ago, I sent a letter to corporate but haven’t got a response. This really sucks!
Bobby
August 6, 2009 at 7:46 am
I just found HFCS in the ingredient list of the tiny tart I bought at the bakery for $5.99. I do NOT pay $5.99 for products with ingredients like that. I’m really disappointed that I have to read all the labels at Whole Foods; one of the reasons I shop there is so I don’t have to spend so much time on label reading. So ridiculous.
marymuses
August 10, 2009 at 8:08 pm