If you’re like most people, you’re aware of the prevalence of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the food supply and the ongoing concerns about its health effects, such as its contribution to obesity. Since 1980, soft drink producers have favored HFCS over real sugar from cane or beets as a sweetener (although “Mexican Coke” made with cane sugar is still available in some stores, labeled “Refresco” and “Hecho en México”). Food processors have followed suit, and today, HFCS is found in thousands of products, including fast-food offerings, bread and baked goods, tomato-based sauces, breakfast cereal, fruit drinks, salad dressings, yogurt, canned soups, candy, and even medications. Why has HFCS supplanted sugar (sucrose) from cane and beets in so many foods? The price and availability of sucrose, especially cane sugar—often grown near the equator—fluctuates wildly, whereas corn is the largest U.S. crop, and also the most subsidized. And if a …