The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer group in Washington, D.C., has 
challenged many sweeteners in the past. But the group says "there isn't a shred of evidence that 
high-fructose corn syrup is any more harmful (or healthier) than sugar."

"There's very little chemical difference between these two sweeteners, and there's no reason to be 
more afraid of high-fructose corn syrup than regular table sweetener," said David Schardt, the 
center's senior nutritionist. 

As WebMD points out, the report "doesn't prove that the mercury in the tested products came from 
high-fructose corn syrup." Even the researchers who did the study say they can't advise consumers 
to change their diet based on this initial finding. 

Consumer Reports says these studies "are cause for concern" because even low levels of mercury 
exposure can be unsafe. But the editors say "the total health impact remains unclear, and the 
studies pose more questions than answers." 

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