SRA taking steps to discourage corn sweetener use
THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said it is conducting studies on the negative effects of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) on human health, as part of measures to provide relief to sugarcane farmers suffering from competition from the corn-based industrial sweetener.
SRA Planning and Policy Manager Rosemarie S. Gumera, in a text message on Monday, said: “We are actually conducting a study on this to establish injury to the industry as well as gathering statistical and scientific evidence on the effect of HFCS on human health.”
HFCS is used in beverages and baked goods. Corn producers in industrialized countries tend to be highly efficient, making HFCS competitive as an alternative to cane sugar, particularly among industrial users.
SRA Administrator Anna Rosario V. Paner said last week she is prepared to “do what is necessary” to keep the industry from being “destroyed,” following complaints about HFCS imports from sugarcane growers.
In the 11 months to November, HFCS imports totaled 285,000 metric tons, (MT) up 44.67% from a year earlier, according to Ms. Gumera.
The import trend appears to be accelerating, with inbound shipments from 2011 to 2014 at only 78,000 MT.
The Philippines has no domestic production of HFCS.
Deputy director for legal affairs of the Philippines Sugar Millers Association Jesus L. Barrera said that the entry of HFCS is affecting the price of sugar
As of January 1, sugar prices have gone down to P1,784.92 per 50-kilo bag from a high of more than P1,800.40 in October, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s price monitor on its Web site.
Farmers have attributed this drop of prices to the inward shipments of HFCS.
“We’re asking SRA to do something, either it limit, restrict, control, or regulate the volume of HFCS that comes in,” Mr. Barrera added. —