24 April 2008 - Portland, Oregon-based Thomas Kemper Soda Company has said it will stop using high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and will turn to natural cane sugar instead with a view to supply quality products and use natural ingredients.
According to reports, some consumers are trying to move away from HFCS due to its health and environmental implications. Meanwhile, certain manufacturers are concerned about the rising cost of the product.
Thomas Kemper has already moved some of its items to cane sugar, and all the cane sugar items will be sold in outlets as of May, add the reports.
In December last year, FLEXNEWS reported that nearby organic food retailer PCC (Puget Consumers Cooperative) Natural Markets of Seattle completely removed all products from its stores containing high fructose corn syrup.
At the time, PCC claimed that HFCS is a highly processed sweetener with no nutritional value that studies have linked to obesity and other health problems.
Thomas Kemper brews root beer, ginger ale, and other craft brewed sodas under the Thomas Kemper Soda Co. label. The company, formerly owned by Pyramid Breweries, Inc., was sold in 2007 to Adventure Funds of Portland, Oregon, which is running the company under the Kemper Co. name.