GMO corn has been introduced into the American, and worldwide, food systems in an overwhelming way and it’s obvious that it has effected people and their tolerance of it.
My sister is highly allergic to corn. I mean, it’s serious; no playing around. Through her, I have learned just how prolific the corn invasion is, and the amount of corn on food labels that is hidden. Various aspects of corn and its starch and sugars are listed in many different ways on labels. You cannot just look for the word “corn” and know you’re safe. You have to be fluent in Corn Lingo (Just another reason to cook from scratch).
Names for Corn on Food Labels:
corn syrup
high fructose corn syrup
fructose
maltodextrin, dextrin
dextrose
glucose
malt, malt syrup, malt extract
excipients – a binder in pills
GDL – glucona delta lactone – often found in cured meats
mono-glycerides, di glycerides
MSG – Mono-Sodium Glutamate is often derived from corn
sorbitol
sugar – if it doesn’t say beet (which is mainly gmo now), or cane
corn starch, starch, modified food starch
sucrose – though this used to be from cane sugar, some labels have been found to read “from corn”
Carmel flavoring or coloring – though it can be made from cane or GMO beet sugar, it is often made from corn syrup
Vegetable oil, vegetable broth, vegetable protein,hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable mono or di glycerides.
xanthan gum – a thickener often grown in corn media
zein – a fiber made from corn
and other names…
Common Foods with Hidden Corn:
Vanilla Extract – Even many “Real” or “Pure” vanilla extracts have some form of corn in them
Baking Powder – a lot of baking powders not only have aluminum, but also corn starch, though some use potato starch so check your labels.
Powdered Sugar/Confectioners Sugar – In order to stretch powdered sugar, corn starch is added. You can make your own at home in the blender (though it is loud). There are some expensive organic powdered sugars without cornstarch out there.
Brown Sugar – if it has carmel coloring, unless stated you can assume that the carmel is derived from corn syrup.
Iodized Salt – yes, even some salts have dextrose added – as a non-caking agent I’m guessing.
Semolina flour is sometimes mixed with corn
Fruit Juice Concentrate – Read the labels. Some concentrates have corn syrup added
White Distilled Vinegar – usually made from corn!! I know!! Frustrating!
Honey – This was a big one for me. Not only is there a mixture of corn syrup in a lot of honey on the shelf, but most have the pollen refined out of them so you cannot tell where they came from. This is dangerous since many places like China and India have tried to sell honey full of antibiotics and heavy metals. In 2011, Food Safety News took over 60 samples from over 10 American States and 76% of them from grocery stores were without pollen. 100% of those from pharmacies were without pollen. (Food Safety News) There is also a risk of contamination from pesticides used by the bee keeper. So, buy local and talk to your bee keeper about their practices.
Yeast – Many yeasts were made with corn sugars as food for the yeast. Red Star Yeast claims to be corn free.
So, it’s no wonder that our bodies are being overwhelmed. If you have eliminated processed foods and are very careful about the products that you buy, then you can seriously limit your intake. It is only then that I felt comfortable re-introducing non-gmo organic corn back into our diets in the form of corn chips, corn bread, etc. It’s also no wonder that farmers are producing corn to such a degree. With so many companies using it to supplement their products in a major way AND it being subsidized by the government, it is a big temptation for farmers trying to make a living in today’s economy. The problem is, it is quickly destroying our health.
WOW, never knew so many foods had in corn, thank you dear, that is why it is so important to read ingredients when you are shopping, no wonder our bodies are so weak and broken up, too much junk in our foods!! Once again, many thanks, will share this article with my family!!!
Smiles!!!
I appreciate the information! I am allergic to corn as well and am constantly looking for ways to refresh my memory – and to learn more – about where corn is hidden. My soy allergy is so instantly gasping for air painful, that I have had to learn to be a food detective!
Wow, that’s horrible that you have to be that careful, but that’s how my sister is too. My daughter is allergic to soy where her throat closes, but it’s more gradual so I’m not as worried. But allergies are constantly changing depending on your exposure, body health, etc. I’ve been working on building up her immune system.
I doubt if any prepared foods are safe anymore. Unless one makes it themself, or buys from a local farmer, one doesn’t know for sure what they’re putting in their body. Population control?
It sure is hard when you have allergies to trust eating food. You have to learn about all the hidden ingredients that are in foods that could cause a reaction. You did a very good job at describing corn and its components that we have to watch out for. If we could just get the GMO out of our diet and foods I think we would see a big difference in food allergies. thanks for sharing this valuable on Real Food Fridays Blog hop!
I am allergic to corn, soy, eggs, and potato, among others. Corn is by far the hardest to avoid. Eventually I hope it becomes recognized as a major allergen so we can get proper food labeling. I have to make all my own food, personal care, cleaning and other things because it is in everything. Thanks so much for bringing attention to this issue!
I am allergic to corn as well. I hadn’t eaten eggs, chicken, or any kind of pork for over 10 years. Last year I found a group that sells Soy-free AND corn-free eggs, chicken turkey, beef, pork, and lamb. It tastes great and is delivered to your door. Yes, corn is in quite a few meds. recently have gotten a few at a compound pharmacy here’s the link to their website. Oh I am just passing this on hoping to help other people out.https://healthytraditions.com/ I have used their coconut cleaner and been really happy with it
Has anyone been told it’s ok to get a dextrose IV?
I wonder if the allergies would be as bad with heirloom varieties of corn. I know the gluten content of “modern” corn is exponentially higher than the heritage strains. Just a thought. Very informative post. Thanks for writing it.
That’s a good question. People’s bodies are reacting to corn as if it were a poison that needs to be flushed out. I’m not sure a different kind would matter at this point, but it’s worth looking into.
It’s sad that we cannot even buy honey in the store without being super careful. What an informative post! Thanks for linking up to Savoring Saturdays!
This is a great article. I was watching a farm show the other day on PBS. It was talking about all the uses of corn. One of the products that surprised me was tooth paste. Who would have thought? Thanks so much for sharing it with us at the Let’s Get Real Friday Link Party.
Keep seeing all these references on 185 Items/names of Corn in our foods. And “finding Corn on the label” etc., can find NOTHING, except for what is in your article.. The cornallergen.com website is nothing but a bunch of links to orther links to orther links, none of which have the hidden names or places one can find corn (other than your article). How can I find this list of 185, etc and is there an Ebook on finding corn on the label? Today is 1/10/18
Thanks Rho
The website no longer exists (The person who write it is no longer paying for the blog to be up and running). Thanks for letting me know the link was broken. I’ve removed it.
Is the amount of corn in prescription and OTC medsDiane
WOW WOW WOW. You have taught me so much! My neighbor is very allergic to corn I cook for him a lot and I now know that there is food I’ve given him that had corn in it. My neighbor and friend of 30 years recently spent two months in hospitals and rehab centers I brought him food every day because every Day every meal had some form of corn by product in it when he digest corn he gets horrible blisters in addition to other allergic responses but because the blisters are a form of infection it was making it very difficult for his body to heal from both that and what he was originally in the hospital for part of which was kidney failure of the kidney that he received in a transplant Five years ago period. Another issue that he has that you have not talked about Is the amount of corn in prescription and OTC meds
Why are we letting them do this to our food. We have to stop Monsanto and the production of GMOs. Does no one realize why cows and chickens and such are on antibiotics? Because, they are being feed food that is not food- GMO, Genetically Modified Organism, modified with proven cancer causing poison, called Round Up. They are killing us and we are letting them.
I refer to this page of your blog so much since learning that I have an allergy to corn/potatoes/nitrates/milk/beet sugar, and has helped me exponentially.
One biggy that isn’t mentioned here is “inverted or partially inverted sugar syrup” found in a LOT of sweeter items, drinks, cocktails, chocolate etc. That’s apparently made from corn (or the creation process does) and appears to be in everything!
Please don’t ever take this site down, it’s doing so much good!!
Atopic Dermatitis undefined since 2007. allergy testing. many dermatology apt. biopsies, product changes. i am so done. Maybe food / corn allergy. questions/ comment/ ideas’ Desperate for answers or ideas. i am thinking corn may be the problem. any one?
Most skin conditions come from internal problems. Definitely try eliminating ingredients from your diet: gluten, dairy, etc. Do this for a month and see if there’s a change. Add things back one at a time and see if you can identify the culprit. I’m not a doctor, but we’ve dealt with the same thing before and that is what helped.
Thanks, I am allergic to corn. The person with atopical dermatitis may very well benefit from leaving off corn, that was my problem. It makes me itch and then leaves like an eczema spot. You have to keep cream nearby to appy often to the itch, but mainly stay away from corn and its derivitives.
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