The long-simmering legal battle between the Sugar Association and Corn Refiners Association reached the jury stage earlier this week, with both sides now trying to sway jurors about constitutes "sugar."

At issue is an ad campaign by CRA that alleged high-fructose corn syrup was no different than sugar in its health effects. That claim didn't set well with sugar processors, which sued the association and corn refiners for false advertising, the Associated Press reported.

The association and two companies countersued, claiming that the sugar industry was making false and misleading statements about corn syrup, including that it was as addictive as crack cocaine. After years of legal wrangling, the jury trail began Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court.

In a statement, CRA CEO John Bode was confident the court would rule in his side's favor.

"We expect to prove to a jury at trial that The Sugar Association has purposely misled the public to create false health concerns and fear about high fructose corn syrup—all for the purpose of increasing sugar's market share," he said.

The Sugar Association didn't release any statements. However, attorney Mark Lanier, who represents the sugar industry, said his side has evidence showing the advertising agency CRA hired felt uncomfortable with the ads because they were misleading.

"We've got the ad men saying that after they deal with their client, the corn refiners, they have to take a shower because they feel so dirty," he said.

Corn refiners head into the court case having already lost one battle: In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration refused their request to brand corn syrup "corn sugar." http://nbcnews.to/1Or3MxJ

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