By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) yesterday warned the public of possible health implications from ingesting beverages containing high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), noting they may lead to death.
United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (USPFP) President Manuel Lamata, the SAP leader, said hazards posed by HFCS are another reason why they are demanding beverage companies to stop using the artificial sweetener.
“It’s not just bad, it is deadly,” noted Lamata, who pointed out the information he has gathered should be treated seriously.
In particular, he cited a study by medical doctors in the United States that found drinking beverages with HFCS increases triglyceride levels and bad cholesterol.
The artificial sweetener can also be metabolized into fat in the body more rapidly than other sugars and has been linked to diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, according to the same study.
National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) President Enrique Rojas, meanwhile, said the adverse health effects of HFCS were also discussed during recent congressional and senate hearings.
Rojas said the effects of the sweetener were even raised before Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial.
The NFSP president added, once corn is processed into HFCS, it is also indeterminable if it has genetically modified organisms.
Earlier this week, SAP said their next target is beverage giant Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc., after claiming success against Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines.
Lamata issued an ultimatum against Pepsi to “buy local sugar immediately or face a boycott of all their products.”
He also revealed Coca-Cola will purchase one million bags of sugar and another two million once the new crop year begins, although the current boycott on Coke products will remain until “the company sticks to its word on using local sugar.”/WDJ