Topic: Robert Lustig

Dr. Robert Lustig appeared on 60 Minutes to argue that sugar is a toxic substance that should be regulated similarly to tobacco. This scientific claim is being used to support policy changes, such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. Critics argue the campaign intentionally conflates natural sucrose with high fructose corn syrup to protect the corn industry while demonizing all sweeteners.

A report by Robert Lustig labeling sugar as a toxin is discussed in the context of the corn industry's efforts to rebrand high fructose corn syrup as "corn sugar." The hosts argue this is a linguistic tactic to create equivalency between processed corn syrup and cane sugar to bypass consumer backlash.