Coca-Cola said it will roll out a new model of its signature delicate drink that will be sweetened with cane sugar instead of corn syrup — days after President Trump posted about it on social media.
“As part of its ongoing innovation agenda, this fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with US cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range,” the company said in a Tuesday assertion.
The Coke made with US cane sugar will complement the company’s present product line, the Atlanta-based company added.
Coca-Cola produced for the US market is sometimes sweetened with corn syrup, while the company makes use of cane sugar in some other international locations, including Mexico and numerous European international locations.
Coca-Cola will introduce a model of its signature drink made with American cane sugar this fall in the United States, the company said on Tuesday. REUTERS
The Tuesday announcement came days after President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had “been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so.”
Trump — who is famously an avid shopper of Diet Coke — also said, “This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola initially stopped short of confirming Trump’s post. The company informed NBC News last week that it appreciated Trump’s “enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand” but that “details…will be shared soon.”
In the United States, Coca-Cola made with cane sugar is colloquially recognized as “Mexican Coke” as it’s usually imported from the United States’ southern neighbor.
Coca-Cola produced for the US market is sometimes sweetened with corn syrup, while the company makes use of cane sugar in some other international locations. Matcha_09 – stock.adobe.com
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey mentioned the coming product on an earnings call Tuesday morning, telling buyers that the company already makes use of cane sugar in the company’s tea, lemonade, espresso and Vitamin Water choices.
“I think that it will be an enduring option for consumers,” he said.
“We are definitely looking to use the whole toolkit of available sweetening options where there are consumer preferences.”
The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, named for the social motion aligned with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has pushed food corporations to alter their formulations to take away ingredients like synthetic dyes.
But medical specialists warn that health outcomes may not change with the swap in sweetener.
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a heart specialist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, informed NBC News that “both high fructose corn syrup and cane sugar are about 50% fructose, 50% glucose, and have identical metabolic effects.”
Experts warn that changing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar won’t considerably change health outcomes. angkhan – stock.adobe.com
“That is, both can equally raise the risk for obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides and blood pressure,” he said, including that “both provide the same number of calories, but the body processes them differently.”
The transfer to transition to cane sugar was also met with pushback from agricultural pursuits.
John Bode, the CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, said last week that “replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense” given Trump’s support of American farmers.
“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,” he added in a assertion.
Sourcing could also be a issue. US cane sugar is primarily produced in Texas, Florida and Louisiana, according to the Agriculture Department. However, home manufacturing accounts for only 30% of complete US sugar provide. The relaxation comes from sugar beets or is imported.
The Coca-Cola Company confirmed the change Tuesday during its earnings call with buyers. AFP via Getty Images
Trump has long tied himself publicly to Coca-Cola merchandise. In 2012, he said on Twitter that Coke was not joyful with him but “that’s ok, I’ll still keep drinking that garbage.”
Trump also wrote on social media the same yr that ingesting Diet Coke “makes you happy.”
In January, Quincey traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and offered him with a customized bottle commemorating his upcoming inauguration.
“President Trump pledged to Make America Healthy Again, and that starts with what we eat and drink,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai informed The Post.
“The Trump administration is committed to partnering with food and beverage companies to expand options for the American people.”
The Post has sought remark from HHS, Coca-Cola and the Corn Refiners Association.