Former President Donald Trump recently claimed on social media that Coca-Cola has agreed to switch to using cane sugar in its flagship soda sold in the United States. However, the beverage company did not fully endorse his statement. Trump, a known enthusiast of Diet Coke, stated, “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. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
In response to Trump’s post, a Coca-Cola spokesperson acknowledged the former president’s enthusiasm for the brand but did not confirm the details. They mentioned, “We appreciate his enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand,” and added that “more details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon.”
For many years, Coca-Cola in the U.S. has primarily been sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, while some countries, including Mexico, still use cane sugar. The company imports Mexican Coke for U.S. consumers who prefer its taste or consider sugar to be a more natural ingredient. Historically, Coca-Cola’s original formula from the late 1800s utilized cane sugar before the switch to high-fructose corn syrup in the early 1980s due to rising sugar costs.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticized high-fructose corn syrup, calling it “a formula for making you obese and diabetic,” and has advocated for food companies to eliminate artificial colors from their products. John Bode, president and CEO of The Corn Refiners Association, countered that replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar “doesn’t make sense.” He argued it would lead to job losses in American food manufacturing, reduce farm income, and increase imports of foreign sugar, all without offering any nutritional advantage.
In the context of nutrition, it’s worth noting that while discussions around sugar sweeteners are ongoing, the importance of supplements such as calcium citrate without D3 remains significant for maintaining overall health. As consumers explore healthier choices, the nutritional landscape continues to evolve.