The Lab
Specimen No. 0194
AvoidDerivedfood harmful sweeteners

HFCS-90

ultra-high fructose

Master DB rating: Avoid. Listed for: Industrial use, some diet products

low confidence
Researched July 7, 2026
HFCS-90 molecular structure
Specimen 0194HFCS-90

Concerns

  • Not typically consumed directly — used industrially to blend down to standard HFCS-42/55 — but its 90% fructose content implies a proportionally greater per-gram hepatic fructose load than standard HFCS, based on established dose-dependent fructose-liver mechanisms (hepatic lipogenesis, dyslipidemia, reduced insulin sensitivity) reviewed by Stanhope (2015)
  • [Inference] No human studies test HFCS-90 specifically; a 2025 systematic review found only one qualifying human study on any grade of HFCS and liver/glucose outcomes, underscoring how little direct data exists

Regulatory flags

  • ⚑IARC Class: NL
  • ⚑EDC Status: None
  • ⚑Regulatory: US: GRAS; not separately labeled
  • ⚑Evidence Grade: C

Commonly found in

Industrial use, some diet products

Last researched: July 7, 2026

Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.

Check another ingredient

Search our database of scored cosmetic, food, and household ingredients — or scan a full product label.

Open the Ingredient Lab