“I told em if they take it out of their bread I’ll do a commercial for free,” said Jillian Michaels in response to learning that Subway breads contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). 
The star trainer of NBC’s Biggest Loser, a program sponsored by the restaurant, announced that she “Had NO idea Subway had HFC in their bread til you guys pointed it out,” referring to her loyal fan base of more than 250,000 followers on Facebook.
Sign our petition asking Subway to remove high fructose corn syrup from their ingredients.
The sandwich chain, which markets itself as a healthier alternative to fast food, has been a fixture in product placements on The Biggest Loser, a weight loss program that prides itself on teaching clean eating habits. The ranch, where contestants are isolated and go through an intense weight loss journey, restricts any foods that aren’t organic and are processed. So it’s an interesting revelation to learn that one of the show’s primary sponsors serves the contestants, and millions of customers, food with a processed ingredient that would never be permitted inside the hallowed halls of the Biggest Loser ranch.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is a man-made ingredient that can be found in nearly every variety of processed or packaged foods. This syrup, which is made from cornstarch, has been treated with an enzyme that converts some of the glucose in the molecule to fructose, which is sweeter. Because of its ability to preserve and extend processed foods’ shelf life, and being a cheaper additive than sugar, it has become a very popular ingredient by food manufacturers. HFCS has been blamed as one of the culprits in the growing obesity epidemic.
Fans have been very vocal about their dislike of the blatant product placements during Biggest Loser episodes. “We’re obligated to do show integrations per NBC contract. We’re not paid for them. However, I only do the ones I eat personally,” Jillian responded via this particular Facebook thread. “I eat the veggie 1 all the time but, the HFC is a bummer.”
Subway is currently sponsoring the continued weight loss journey of Shay Sorrells, a season 8 contestant who at the time was the show’s heaviest contestant ever. She will weigh in at the May 25 season finale of Biggest Loser 9 and earn $1,000, paid by Subway, for every pound she loses.
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