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| Credit: Ton Rulkens |
So I asked the robot to comment this week´s strangest news item. Yes, that would be Trump´s proud announcement that the Coca Cola Company (at the God-Emperor´s prodding, mind you) will stop sweeten Coke Classic with corn syrup, instead using real sugar from sugarcane. Eh?
Sugarcane is grown in the southern states, where many people support Trump. But...what about immigrant labor at the sugarcane plantations? And what´s up with the corn syrup situation anyway? My guess is that RFK Jr and his "MAHA" movement may be behind this, since I assume they oppose said syrup.
However, more sugarcane production will presumably also make it necessary to import more cheap labor from Mexico and Central America. Unless the MAHA-ites want to lift and then volunteer their working class muscle down at the latifundia...
Do sugar cane plantations in the South use labor from Mexico?
Yes, many sugarcane farms in the U.S. South—especially in states like Florida and Louisiana—do use labor from Mexico, but the situation is more nuanced and varies by region and employer.
🇺🇸 U.S. Sugarcane Labor Overview
1. Mexican Migrant Labor
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A significant portion of seasonal sugarcane workers in the South are Mexican nationals.
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Many are brought to the U.S. through the H-2A visa program, which allows agricultural employers to hire foreign workers temporarily when there are not enough local laborers.
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These workers typically perform manual cutting, planting, weeding, and harvesting, especially in Louisiana, which still relies partly on hand-harvested cane.
2. Florida (Heavily Mechanized)
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In Florida, sugarcane harvesting is now largely mechanized—machines cut most of the cane.
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However, Mexican and Central American workers are still employed in:
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Planting
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Field preparation
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Maintenance
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Milling operations
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They often work under contracts with large companies (e.g., U.S. Sugar, Florida Crystals).
3. Louisiana (Still Some Manual Cutting)
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Louisiana relies more heavily on manual labor for certain stages of harvesting and field prep.
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Mexican H-2A workers are widely used during the harvest season.
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Labor shortages have made growers more dependent on foreign guest workers.
🧾 Labor Rights & Controversies
There have been ongoing debates around:
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Pay levels and working conditions for H-2A workers.
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Access to healthcare and housing during seasonal work.
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Exploitation or legal gray areas with subcontractors or recruiters.
Several reports and labor watchdogs have raised concerns, particularly regarding wage disputes and unsafe working environments.
✅ Summary
| Region | Labor Source | Mechanization | Use of Mexican Workers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Local + H-2A migrants | High (mechanized) | Yes, mostly for planting & prep |
| Louisiana | Local + H-2A (mostly Mexican) | Mixed (some hand harvest) | Yes, widely used |
| Texas | Less significant production | Mixed | Some use of migrant labor |
Would you like information on how the H-2A visa program works or data on the number of Mexican workers in agriculture more broadly?
Yes, there is significant criticism of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from a range of consumer rights groups, health organizations, and nutrition advocates. The criticism centers on health concerns, labeling transparency, and industrial agricultural practices. Here's a breakdown:
⚠️ 1. Health-Related Criticisms
a. Obesity & Metabolic Issues
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HFCS has been linked—controversially—to the rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes in the U.S.
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Groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and Public Health Advocacy Institute argue that HFCS contributes to overconsumption of sugar in processed foods and beverages.
b. Fructose Metabolism
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Unlike glucose, fructose is metabolized primarily in the liver, which can lead to fat buildup and insulin resistance.
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Some studies have associated high fructose intake with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated triglycerides.
c. "Empty Calories"
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Consumer health advocates argue HFCS provides no nutritional value beyond calories, and encourages the consumption of sugary, processed foods over whole foods.
🧾 2. Labeling and Transparency Concerns
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HFCS often appears under different names like “corn sugar”, which can confuse consumers.
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In 2012, the FDA rejected a petition by the corn industry to rename HFCS as “corn sugar,” citing misleading labeling.
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Critics claim food labeling lacks clear distinctions between cane/beet sugar and corn syrup, which undermines informed consumer choice.
🌽 3. Industrial Agriculture & Environmental Impact
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HFCS depends on large-scale corn monoculture, which requires:
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Heavy fertilizer and pesticide use
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Government subsidies (taxpayer-funded support of corn)
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Environmental groups (like the Environmental Working Group) criticize this model for contributing to:
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Soil degradation
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Water pollution (from nitrogen runoff)
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Reduced biodiversity
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🏷️ 4. Market & Consumer Pushback
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Starting in the late 2000s, there was a consumer backlash against HFCS.
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Many companies (e.g., Snapple, Heinz ketchup, Gatorade) began marketing products with labels like “no high-fructose corn syrup.”
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Some health-conscious consumers see HFCS as a marker of “ultra-processed” or low-quality food.
📊 Scientific Consensus?
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Major health organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA) and FDA have stated that HFCS and table sugar (sucrose) are nutritionally similar when consumed in moderation.
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However, they also acknowledge excessive sugar intake of any kind is unhealthy.
🟨 So while HFCS may not be uniquely toxic, critics argue that it encourages overconsumption due to its low cost and prevalence in processed foods.
✅ Summary of Criticisms
| Area | Concern |
|---|---|
| Health | Links to obesity, diabetes, liver problems |
| Labeling | Lack of transparency, misleading names |
| Environment | Industrial corn farming harms ecosystems |
| Consumer rights | Reduced choice, hard-to-avoid in processed foods |
| Economics | Subsidized production distorts food markets |
Let me know if you’d like citations, major health studies, or a comparison between HFCS and cane sugar in how the body processes them.
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