Recently, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has come under fire from several different directions. A number of studies conducted over the past few decades indicate that consumption of HFCS is connected with a wide range of health concerns, including a significant risk of weight gain and obesity, increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes, long-term liver damage, and mercury exposure.

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While none of the studies are conclusive, the bad press has been enough to make many companies turn away from HFCS and offer bizarre alternatives like sugar and honey in their products.

Hunt’s, one of the largest manufacturers of ketchup in the world, has dropped HFCS altogether from its ingredients. More and more companies are following suit.

HFCS is manufactured from genetically modified corn by only four different companies in the U.S.—Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Staley Mfg, and CPC International.

To combat the bad press and growing desire of Americans to eat real food, the HFCS Industry has decided to change the name of its product to “corn sugar.” The FDA has to approve the name change, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Virtually all of the people who work at the FDA previously worked in either the manufactured food or pharmaceutical industry, and at better money. When their stint with the FDA is done, virtually all will return and therefore do not want to anger their once and future bosses.

In fact, the head of the FDA’s food safety division worked as a lawyer for agribusiness giant Monsanto, the very company that developed the genetically modified corn that HFCS is made out of.

A study conducted in mid-2010 by the HFCS Industry revealed that Americans are receptive to “corn sugar,” while not so much to “high fructose corn syrup.”

The study clearly shows that it isn’t the product that is unnatural and bad for health – it’s that it’s perceived incorrectly. By changing its name, Americans will view it as a safe and natural sweetening agent.

Not only are Americans difficult for big business to manipulate, but are blessed with an excellent educational system to boot.

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Michael Kindt is writer living in South Dakota whose work has appeared in College Times, Midwest Lit Review and in the poetry anthology “It’s Dark & Scary In Here.” He’s the author of “Early Onset of Night, Volume One” and blogs at Early Onset of Night.