HFCS versus cane sugar

[StevenG]

Greetings all!
Before returning to beekeeping four years ago, I subscribed to Gleanings for a year, read and researched, because I knew things had changed since I had to give up my bees in 1983. Thus I've gone strictly to "hygenic" and/or "survivor" bees from various suppliers.
Some of my readings have indicated that HFCS as a feed is not as nutritionally sound for the honey bees as is plain cane sugar. I buy cane sugar in 50# sacks (can't handle the 100# bags anymore, if I could even find them.)
So, is there anyone here more conversant with the "authorities" on HFCS versus cane sugar for bee feed, that can chime in here?
Regards,
Steven

[alpha6]

Hey Steve thanks for starting this thread.

Here is a portion from Randy Olivers site that talks about this. There is much more information than the short clip I posted and I encourage everyone to go to the site and read the whole article from the link that is posted at the end.

From Randy's site:

So what’s not to love about HFCS? It’s cheap, has a chemical composition similar to honey (a fact not lost upon adulterators), tends not to granulate (due to its high fructose content), and resists fermentation (due to its high osmosticity and low pH). Surprisingly, there’s been relatively limited scientific research done comparing HFCS to sucrose—see References.

Based upon the research that I’ve found, and from speaking with commercial beekeepers, bees likely prefer sucrose, build up better on it, and winter better on it. Therefore, a number of beekeepers are compromising, by asking for sucrose/HFCS blends—this way they cut costs, yet get some of the benefits of sucrose. These blends were a hot topic in California last year, when a number of beekeepers suffered colony damage from problematic HFCS blends.

HFCS can have problems due to other residual sugars (check the specs), and especially due to the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). HMF forms from fructose when an acidic sugar solution is kept at a warm temperature for any length of time. The process currently used to produce HFCS from corn starch results in a decidedly acidic syrup (low pH—sometimes as acidic as vinegar!). HMF itself is clear, but a concurrent oxidation reaction caramelizes the sugars, producing a brown color. HMF does, however, have a characteristic bitter taste.

HMF is harmless to humans (and actually holds potential as a biofuel to be produced from sugar), however is toxic to bees (reviewed in Prandin, et al. 2001). It naturally forms in honey that is overheated, resulting in dark, off-flavored “bakers honey.” Such overheating appeared to be the problem last year in California—syrup blends were simply kept too hot for too long, resulting in a caramel-colored bee poison! Bottom line: look carefully at any syrup before you feed it to your bees. If it’s caramel-colored or bitter tasting, it’s not appropriate bee feed. Don’t feed your bees any syrup that you wouldn’t drink yourself!

Whole article here: http://www.scientificbeekeeping.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52

[frostygoat]

Moreover, unlike beet or cane sugar, HFCS is an industrially manufactured, subsidized product that wouldn't be cheap but for the farm bill. Its production creates massive chemical waste and CO2. I personally try to stay away from the stuff for ethical reasons (it's hard!).

[NorthWest_bee_guy]

Wow What A eye opener did not know it was subsidized or was a polutant.

[Cedar Hill]

Not conversant with the "authorities on HFCS versus cane sugar for bee feed," but will chime in. There have been times in the last two years when my hives have not taken sugar syrup. There could probably be many reasons, - could GM sugar be one of them? FWIW
http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Newsletter/Jan2008-GMSugarBeets/index.cfm OMTCW

[frostygoat]

Before someone flames me here:

To be clear, corn is subsidized heavily, not HFCS directly.

THe amount of energy consumed in its production far exceeds conventional sugar (including the energy inputs for growing the corn, transporting it, and the industrial conversion process-it has to be converted from starch, an inefficient process). But since it is subsidized it is still cheaper conventional sugar. Traditional sugar producers do not benefit from government subsidies and are struggling hard.

HFCS contains mercury, and has been linked to serious health effects in people (liver problems, diabetes, obesity, etc.)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

No time for many citations but a quick google will confirm these facts.

[Dunkel]

Actually the sugar industry is one of the biggest subsidised industries in the U.S..

[BEES4U]

Three years ago we had a major problem with the corn syrup being scortched
When Sweetner Products makes a delivery here locally it give you a sample of the batch and it's chemistry.
We have had zero problems with their Bev Sweet product!
The scortched corn syrup prompted many beekeepers to switch to liquid sucrose.
You will find that their can be a "few" syrup brokers and who knows what thier quality would be?
Regards,
Ernie

[John Smith]

Cane sugar is commencing to be classed a 'health food' owing to comparisons against the HFCS. I only feed cane sugar to my bees, and then only to maintain them temporarily and to stimulate queen cell production. Our sugar mills in Australia put out a liquid form of cane sugar which is very easy to use.

But when it comes to feeding myself and my family, I shun HFCS in all its forms, and all the products that I suspect contain it. The supermarket still has plenty of healthy foodstuffs for sale, but the percentage is falling. What I really dislike, is the way labels use trick language to sell me junk. Hence, the labels never tell you what went into making the glucose. If the ingredient is not one I recognise as being a natural fraction of a real plant substance, I consider it suspect. Glucose is not available in nature, not in isolation.

If you really want the gospel on Honey, vs all these manufactured and poisonous sweeteners, read the book, "The Honey Revolution." www.worldclassemprise.com
But if you are happy with having obese kids, sick bees and big medical bills, no problem, just keep sucking into that HFCS. Biochemistry is not that different for one class of animal over any other. It is the humans that lie and deceive us for monetary advantages. If the foodstuff has an ingredients list on it, consider it suspect. Simple foods, like we know them on the farm, do not need ingredients labels! Coco powder now may contain "Flavouring:" why on earth would coco powder need flavouring in it?

If it says, 'New Improved' it means, more profit for the food manufacturer. Abhor it. If it's cheap (HFCS) you'll pay later, with dead bees and no health, not in you, not in your bees.

You do have a choice. Following the money is taking us nowhere.

Cheers,

JohnS

[luvin honey]

Moreover, unlike beet or cane sugar, HFCS is an industrially manufactured, subsidized product that wouldn't be cheap but for the farm bill. Its production creates massive chemical waste and CO2. I personally try to stay away from the stuff for ethical reasons (it's hard!).
What he/she said. The corn is subsidized, not the syrup (responding to Northwest Bee Guy). I saw the documentary King Corn earlier this winter. I believe mercury is used in the industrial production of corn syrup. Basically, it is corn so adulterated that you could not possibly make it in your kitchen. It has zero place in my family's diet and will definitely not be fed to my bees.

[NorthWest_bee_guy]

What he/she said. The corn is subsidized, not the syrup (responding to Northwest Bee Guy). I saw the documentary King Corn earlier this winter. I believe mercury is used in the industrial production of corn syrup. Basically, it is corn so adulterated that you could not possibly make it in your kitchen. It has zero place in my family's diet and will definitely not be fed to my bees.
this has been a real eye popping thread thanks for all the information.

[JBJ]

I saw a study at a conference that showed caged workers live much longer when fed liquid sucrose than when fed wityh HFC. It does not take much heating to begin to create HMF in HFC solutions. I will see if I located the particulars of that study to provide further details.