Not only did they locate the missing neurological toxin (phew!), but Dufault's team learned that "mercury grade caustic soda and hydrochloric acid are primarily used by the high fructose corn syrup industry" to "stabilize food products enhance product shelf life".
It is found in mercury grade caustic soda according to product specification sheets [ 8].
Should mercury grade caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, or sodium hypochlorite (derived from mercury grade chor-alkali chemicals) be used in the milling process, it seemed plausible to the EHO that mercury may well end up in the final product – HFCS.
This could indicate the use of mercury grade caustic soda or hydrochloric acid in the manufacturing processes used by these two manufacturers.
FDA does not currently have a mercury surveillance program for food ingredients such as added sugars or preservatives manufactured with mercury grade chlor-alkali products.
Product labels listing HFCS as a first or second ingredient may contain detectable levels of mercury if the HFCS was manufactured with mercury grade chlor-alkali chemicals.
If food manufacturers continue to use mercury grade chlor-alkali chemicals, it may be necessary to account for this source of mercury exposure in dietary guidelines for sensitive populations such as children with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.
Up until recently, HFCS manufacturers used "mercury grade" caustic soda from mercury cell chlor-alkali plants to make their product and as a result consumers were likely exposed to low levels of mercury over time [ 55].
