Miracle Whip goes back to using high-fructose corn syrup

Kraft got a lot of good publicity when it switched several of its major brands from high-fructose corn syrup to sugar. Though Oreos weren't on that list, the most prominent name for me was Miracle Whip. I had been eating Miracle Whip from Canada to fulfill my needs, since the Canadian version contains sugar and not high-fructose corn syrup.

Toward the end of using the Canadian Miracle Whip, I discovered it was using glucose-fructose, which we know now is high-fructose corn syrup.

Miracle Whip made the change in the fall of 2009. Now, high-fructose corn syrup is back in Miracle Whip.

The current Miracle Whip ingredient list has both high-fructose corn syrup and sugar, an unfortunately growing trend in food products. We see now that in Canada that soft drinks are using the Canadian version of that long-hated phrase "high-fructose corn syrup and/or sugar." At least, Miracle Whip is being honest.

But now this once lauded childhood product is now back to being off-limits. In a world where good press comes from getting rid of high-fructose corn syrup, Miracle Whip has sneaked high-fructose corn syrup back into its ingredients list.

As for Ray Turner, no, it isn't your imagination. While there may be several reasons why Miracle Whip never replied, one good reason is that Miracle Whip isn't going to admit it deliberately went back to putting high-fructose corn syrup in its product.

When Miracle Whip announced its return to its original formula, we saw a major PR blitz. Where was the PR blitz to announce Miracle Whip changed back to high-fructose corn syrup?

Miracle Whip changed the formula to high-fructose corn syrup some time ago without much fanfare. Funny how you never see the front of a food product market the fact that it now contains high-fructose corn syrup.

After an eventual backlash, the company switched to sugar and made sure you knew about it. Of course, Miracle Whip went back and didn't have the guts to openly admit that decision.

Even if Miracle Whip somehow comes out and makes a switch back to sugar, consumers across the United States will find themselves looking at the ingredients list every single time we buy the product. That might appeal to food nerds, but the average consumer will just buy something else.

Comments

[Lynda]

Yes, I noticed HFCS in the ingredients went I went to replace my current supply. I immediately emailed Kraft. I won't buy it. I am very disappointed.
=(

[Chad]

This is good to let them know that you disapprove of their ingredient switch. I hate the undercover whisper way of doing this. If you aren't "proud" of using high-fructose corn syrup, don't put it back in your salad dressing.

[Valencia Brown]

I am very upset that after buying Miracle Whip original. It contained High Fructose corn syrup is back in it. I would like to get my mony back. Also why are we using a product that is not good nor natural for our body. Shame on Kraft foods for misleading the public. American Food companies are doing an ugly thing to our food chain.

[Svan71]

The message I received is below. When they went to sugar they changed the label. Switching back without a notice really has me aggravated.

Hi Steven,

Thank you for visiting http://www.kraftfoods.com/.

Our consumers' safety and health are our number one priority, and we would not allow ingredients into our products that we believe would not be safe for consumption.

Experts agree that there are no nutritional differences among regular sugar and high fructose corn syrup, and the body uses all types of sugar in the same way.

We use high fructose corn syrup because of its stability, consistency and functionality, as well as its cost.

Kraft offers consumers a wide range of products to suit consumers' needs -- some contain sugar, others high fructose corn syrup or non-nutritive sweeteners, such as Aspartame - and these are clearly listed on the product's list of ingredients for consumers' convenience.

If you would like to read more about HFCS, please visit the International Food Information Council's website: www.ific.org

If you haven't done so already, please add our site to your favorites and visit us again soon!

Kim McMiller
Associate Director, Consumer Relations

[Chad]

Thank you so much for getting word from Kraft. Too bad Kim didn't mention that the company made a big deal in switching to sugar. No pomp and circumstance to switch back, as if they were ashamed. The "no nutritional differences" point is a meaningless statement. Nutrition never was the issue. Wow!