President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to begin using real cane sugar in coke sold in the United States, following conversations he had with the company.
“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 posted on Truth Social. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola has relied on high fructose corn syrup in its US products since the 1980s. While the ingredient is cheaper and has a longer shelf life than cane sugar, its use has long stirred controversy. Studies have linked high fructose corn syrup consumption to obesity and other health problems, leading to debate over its use in products.
Additionally, Mexican Coca-Cola, which is often sold in glass bottles and imported into the US, has remained popular for its use of cane sugar, with many American consumers claiming it tastes better.
The shift comes amid the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of corn syrup, previously calling it “poison” and describing it as “just a formula for making you obese and diabetic.”
In response to President Trump’s recent post, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola said that the company appreciates his “enthusiasm” for the “iconic Coca-Cola Brand.” Trump has been a vocal consumer of Diet Coke for many years.
“More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon,” spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said in a statement, according to the New York Times.
