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Friends and Neighbors,

Here is what Dr. Andrew Weil has to say about Mercury in our food. It
is from his web site.
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400525/Mercury-in-Your-Food.html

Q
Mercury in Your Food?

What do you think about the studies showing that high fructose corn
syrup (HFCS) contains mercury? How do you get rid of mercury consumed
inadvertently in these foods?
A
Answer (Published 2/23/2009)

Two recent studies that found mercury in HFCS and in foods containing
HFCS suggest that the sweetener could be more of a threat to health
than previously believed. HFCS is used in almost all soft drinks and a
great many processed foods, ranging from salad dressings and ketchup,
to jams, jellies, ice cream, and many others - even bread. HFCS
contains a high percentage of fructose, much more than regular corn
syrup. I've long been concerned that it has disruptive effects on
metabolism, because the body doesn't utilize fructose well, and humans
have never before consumed it in such quantity. I believe it is a
major culprit in the obesity epidemic, especially in kids.

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In one of the two studies, a team of researchers led by a former FDA
scientist found mercury in nine of 20 samples of HFCS tested. The
study was published in the Jan. 26, 2009 issue of Environmental
Health. In the second study, food safety researcher David Wallinga,
M.D. and colleagues at the nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy tested 55 different foods bought at a supermarket in
2005. All the labels of the foods tested listed HFCS as the first or
second ingredient. Dr. Wallinga's group found that nearly one out of
three of these products had mercury above the detection level. The
investigators said they believed that the mercury got into the HCFS
during the manufacturing process at plants using mercury-grade caustic
soda (a form of lye used in the chemical industry).

Mercury can damage the brain and kidneys, and pregnant women can pass
the mercury in their bodies to their babies, possibly harming the
developing nervous system and leading to learning disabilities and
developmental difficulties.
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Reacting to the studies, the Corn Refiners Association said that the
industry hasn't used mercury-grade caustic soda for several years and
termed the findings "outdated" and "flawed." But the researchers said
that the public should know about all potential sources of mercury in
the food supply. Until these studies were published, the main dietary
source of mercury was assumed to be fish, particularly such species as
shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Mercury gets into the
oceans from natural sources as well as from emissions from coal-fueled
power plants.

You can lower your mercury levels over time by simply not eating fish
likely to contain it; opt for wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring
and black cod instead. It may take months for blood levels to drop.
I've long recommended avoiding foods containing HFCS for other
reasons. The mercury issue makes the case against this sweetener more
compelling.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

And here is a short video about Mercury in our food.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6frn6QrZKE&feature=player_embedded#!

Thanks for you interest.
Harold