News

Latest on the battle over ‘corn syrup in beer’

Both sides in the battle over “corn syrup in beer” are claiming victory following a recent court ruling.

Late last week a federal judge in Wisconsin issued a preliminary injunction barring Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Bud Light, from using marketing that suggests rival MillerCoors uses corn syrup in the final production of its light beers. But the judge also ruled that Anheuser-Busch could, for the time being, continue to run its controversial Super Bowl ads on corn syrup in beer.

MillerCoors spokesman Adam Collins says they were pleased with the ruling.

“I’m sure Anheuser-Busch is trying to spin this as a win for them. But the facts are the facts,” Collins says. “The judge flatly denied Anheuser-Busch’s motion to dismiss our lawsuit. He barred Anheuser-Busch from continuing some of their advertising…and is considering forcing Anheuser-Busch to change some their existing packaging in stores—packaging that says ‘no corn syrup’ on it. And the judge expressed a lot of concern that Anheuser-Busch’s intention was to deceive the public.

“If that’s a win for Anheuser-Busch, I’d hate to see what a loss looks like.”

Collins accused Anheuser-Busch of “playing on public misconceptions” about corn syrup .

“I think that’s unfair to the public. It’s not a good way to treat consumers. It’s bad for the beer industry—and it’s against the law,” he says.

In a statement provided to Brownfield, Anheuser-Busch called the court ruling “a victory for consumers as it allows Bud Light’s Super Bowl advertising to continue”.” The company says consumers want to know what ingredients are used to brew their beer.