HFCS55

HFCS55, or high-fructose corn syrup with 55% fructose, is a sweetener produced from corn starch. It consists of roughly 55% fructose, 42% glucose, and trace amounts of higher saccharides. It is one of several HFCS formulations used in the food industry; HFCS42, with about 42% fructose, is another common variant, and HFCS55 and HFCS42 are the two dominant forms in the United States. HFCS55 is formed by enzymatically converting part of the glucose in a glucose syrup into fructose using glucose isomerase.

HFCS55 is valued for its sweetness, cost efficiency, and functional properties such as moisture retention and browning in baked goods. It is widely used in carbonated soft drinks, fruit-flavored beverages, and various processed foods. Sweetness and viscosity are similar to sucrose, and in beverages HFCS55 is often chosen for its particular sweetness profile and handling characteristics. The syrup is produced from corn starch through hydrolysis and enzymatic isomerization and may be used in blends with other syrups.

Nutrition-wise, HFCS55 provides calories comparable to sucrose per gram and contributes free sugars to the diet; health guidance on sugar intake applies to HFCS just as it does to other added sugars. Debates about HFCS in nutrition typically focus on overall sugar consumption rather than the syrup alone.