Ben & Jerry's: Please remove corn syrup from your ice cream.

Many loyal consumers of Ben & Jerry's ice cream have conscientiously purchased these products to the exclusion of others because of the company's opposition of rGBH, rBST, and antibiotic use in dairy products. We support Ben & Jerry's in the fight against Monsanto's bullying tactics to restrict labeling of their products. As the public becomes more informed about the ingredients added to their foods, we ask that Ben & Jerry's help end the pervasive use of corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in America's diet by discontinuing their use of it in their ice cream.

HFCS has been shown to be dangerous to the overall health of consumers as well as to the environment. Author and advocate for a sustainable agriculture, Michael Pollan (The Omnivor%u2019s Dilemma & The Botany of Desire) writes extensively about the health problems and environmental damage associated with the consumption of corn syrup and HFCS.

In his July 18th, 2002, NY Times Op Ed article, %u201CWhen a Crop Becomes King,%u201D Pollan brings to our attention the correlation between ingestion of corn syrup and the epidemic of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A recent study found that high levels of fructose in the diet are associated with increased triglyceride levels, which may begin to explain this recent epidemic of health problems. Importantly, the massive span of US corn crops is contributing to serious and lasting damage to our environment by using more nitrogen fertilizer and pesticide than any other crop, contributing to soil destruction and the large scale death of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. Pollan writes, "The problem in corn's case is that we're sacrificing the health of both our bodies and the environment by growing and eating so much of it.

It is the belief of the signatories to this petition, a leader in the industry such as Ben & Jerry's can help end the use of corn syrup and HFCS by using more natural and healthy alternatives to these sweeteners. The use of corn syrup in Ben & Jerry's ice cream is inconsistent with the political, environmental, and public health awareness previously embraced by Ben & Jerry's, and we believe it is irresponsible to use such ingredients for the sole purposes of reducing costs.

Ben & Jerry's can continue to lead American food manufacturing by ending their use of corn syrup in all their products. Your attention to this serious health and environmental concern is greatly appreciated.