Former President Donald Trump has stated that Coca-Cola has agreed to transition to using real cane sugar in its beverages sold within the United States.
Currently, Coca-Cola utilizes corn syrup in its American product formulations. However, current Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously expressed concerns regarding the potential health implications associated with the ingredient.
“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump stated on social media. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola.”
While not explicitly confirming a reformulation, a Coca-Cola spokesperson acknowledged the discussions, stating they “appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm” and that “more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon”.
Trump asserted in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday: “This will be a very good move by them – You’ll see. It’s just better!”
While Coca-Cola sold in the US market commonly employs corn syrup as a sweetener, the beverage is sweetened differently in many other countries. For example, in Mexico, cane sugar is used.
In April, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey informed investors of ongoing efforts in sugar reduction, stating that “we continue to make progress on sugar reduction in our beverages”.
He noted that the Atlanta-based company has “done this by changing recipes as well as by using our global marketing resources and distribution network to boost awareness of and interest in our ever-expanding portfolio”.
A potential shift to cane sugar could have consequences for American corn farmers.
Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode issued a statement, saying, “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.”
The US health secretary and his Make America Healthy Again movement have advocated for companies to remove ingredients such as corn syrup, seed oils and artificial dyes from their products, linking them to a litany of health problems.
Kennedy has also been critical of the amount of sugar Americans consume and reportedly plans to update nationwide dietary guidelines this summer.
Trump is a regular drinker of Diet Coke – which uses the artificial sweetener aspartame. He had a button installed in the Oval Office’s Resolute desk so he can be served the soda.
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