Coca-Cola refutes Donald Trump's assertion that he persuaded the iconic brand to replace corn syrup with cane sugar in its U.S. soft drinks. The company says its recipe is not changing anytime soon.
In response to the former president’s hype about a “real sugar comeback, Coca-Cola issued a rare statement defending high-fructose corn syrup.
The company emphasized that the sweetener is safe, widely used, and comparable to cane sugar, despite mounting criticism from health advocates and politicians.
Did Trump really win a sugar deal with Coca-Cola?
Late Tuesday, Trump announced on social media that he had persuaded Coca-Cola to return to cane sugar in the U.S., a move he framed as a health and taste victory.
Yet, Coca-Cola stopped short of confirming any ingredient change, instead expressing appreciation for Trump’s “enthusiasm.”
The beverage giant’s actual message focused on upcoming product innovations, giving no direct nod to Trump’s request.
On Thursday, Coca-Cola made its stance clearer. It described high-fructose corn syrup as a “sweetener made from corn” that is metabolized by the body in a manner similar to regular sugar.
Did you know?
Coca-Cola switched its U.S. formula from cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup in the 1980s to cut costs, while many other countries still use cane sugar for the classic formula.
Will corn syrup or cane sugar sweeten the future of U.S. sodas?
The debate isn’t new. U.S. Coke has used corn syrup since the 1980s because of government tariffs on sugar and subsidies for corn, which have helped domestic production cut ingredient costs.
“Mexican Coke,” made with cane sugar, maintains a niche following in the U.S. for its glass bottles and signature taste.
Switching back to cane sugar nationwide would carry higher costs, raise prices, and potentially disrupt U.S. farm and manufacturing jobs linked to corn.
The Corn Refiners Association warned against the change, citing economic and supply chain risks, all for little or no nutritional difference.
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Coca-Cola doubles down on the safety and legacy of high-fructose corn syrup
Facing growing calls from the public health movement and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Coca-Cola pointed to the American Medical Association’s 2023 statement acknowledging that HFCS is “no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar.”
While some consumer advocates still call for warning labels or bans, most experts agree that the health impacts of HFCS and cane sugar are quite similar.
Both HFCS and cane sugar are caloric sweeteners, and excessive consumption of any added sugar is associated with health risks.
Trump’s sugar shakeup collides with business realities and health campaigns
Trump’s move thrusts a familiar corporate ingredient debate into the political spotlight ahead of his second inauguration. Previous friction between Trump and Coca-Cola over voting issues hasn’t altered the company’s stance on its U.S. recipe, with CEO James Quincey even presenting Trump a personalized Diet Coke bottle earlier this year.
Diet Coke, famously Trump’s drink of choice, contains neither corn syrup nor cane sugar but uses aspartame, a low-calorie sweetener.
Any industry-wide shift to cane sugar would face not just health and trade lobbying, but also difficult regulatory hurdles in the $285 billion U.S. soda market.
With health groups, farm lobbyists, and corporate titans all watching, the next move in America’s sugar showdown could reshape both what’s in your glass and who wins the political PR battle.
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