In a bold move that’s stirring up both political and corporate chatter, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Coca-Cola is set to make a major change to its iconic recipe—swapping out high-fructose corn syrup for cane sugar in its U.S. products. The shift, if confirmed, would mark a return to a more traditional formulation, aligning with consumer demands for healthier ingredients and cleaner labels.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “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.” While Coca-Cola has not officially confirmed the recipe revision, a company spokesperson acknowledged the statement, saying they “appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm” and promised that “more details on new innovative offerings” would be revealed soon.
The announcement coincides with a growing health movement led by Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long criticized the widespread use of corn syrup and its links to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. The Make America Healthy Again initiative advocates for the removal of ingredients like seed oils, artificial dyes, and corn syrup from everyday food and beverages.
In international markets such as Mexico and the UK, Coca-Cola already uses cane sugar, which is often cited by consumers as tasting cleaner and less cloying. That preference has led some Americans to seek out “Mexican Coke” as an alternative to the U.S. version.
The proposed ingredient change is stirring debate. While many health-conscious consumers are applauding the move, industry stakeholders like the Corn Refiners Association have voiced serious concerns. Its CEO, John Bode, warned that replacing corn syrup with cane sugar could result in thousands of job losses in American agriculture and food manufacturing. He also stated that the nutritional differences are negligible.
Economically, the shift from corn syrup to cane sugar could increase costs due to U.S. import limits on sugar and a generally more expensive refining process. Still, Coca-Cola’s CEO James Quincey had previously noted during an April investor call that the company is committed to “sugar reduction” and evolving its beverage portfolio.
Interestingly, Trump himself is a well-known Diet Coke enthusiast, reportedly having a dedicated button in the Oval Office to summon the drink. However, even his preferred beverage isn’t untouched by controversy, as Diet Coke uses aspartame, a synthetic sweetener recently scrutinized for potential health risks.
Whether this is a PR play or a sincere shift in corporate policy, the potential for Coke with cane sugar in American stores represents more than a recipe change—it’s a cultural and political statement.
As American consumers increasingly demand transparency and healthier ingredients, Coca-Cola might be forced to reconsider more than just its sweetener of choice.
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