Coca-Cola Company to Transition to Cane Sugar in the United States under Trump's Enforced Mandate
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its U.S. beverages, replacing high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). However, Coca-Cola has yet to confirm this assertion.
The shift away from HFCS could face opposition in the Corn Belt, a Midwestern region that has traditionally supported Trump. The popularity of HFCS in the 1970s can be attributed to government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again movement have criticised HFCS, citing concerns about its impact on health. However, a 2022 review of clinical studies found no meaningful differences between HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) in terms of weight gain or heart health.
It is worth noting that both sweeteners appear similarly impactful when consumed at equal calorie levels. The only notable distinction was an increase in a marker of inflammation in people consuming HFCS. Trump's prized Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame, a compound classified as a "possible carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Mexican Coke, which is made with cane sugar, is often sold at a premium in US stores and is prized for its more "natural" flavour. This could potentially indicate a shift in consumer preference towards more natural ingredients.
Coca-Cola has stated that they appreciate Trump's enthusiasm for their brand and will share more details on new offerings soon. The company currently uses HFCS in its domestic beverages. Until official confirmation is provided by Coca-Cola, the status of this change remains uncertain.
Trump did not elaborate on his motivation for pushing for this change, which will not impact Diet Coke. Since his return to the White House, Trump has re-installed a special button in the Oval Office for a helping of Diet Coke.
[1] Fortune, "Coca-Cola Has Agreed to Use Real Sugar in Coke in the U.S., Trump Says," 2022. [Online]. Available: https://fortune.com/2022/04/25/coca-cola-real-sugar-coke-us-trump/
- The health-and-wellness community, including the Make America Healthy Again movement led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been critical of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) due to concerns about its health impact.
- The potential shift from HFCS to real cane sugar in Coca-Cola's U.S. beverages is not without controversy, as it could face opposition in regions where corn farming is prominent.
- In a lifestyle choice that could signal a broader trend, consumers might be preferring more natural ingredients, as evidenced by the premium price of Mexican Coke, which is sweetened with cane sugar.
- Coca-Cola's flagship drink, Diet Coke, which is sweetened with aspartame, remains unchanged, despite concerns over aspartame's classification as a "possible carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- The policy-and-legislation sphere may play a role in the potential replacement of HFCS with cane sugar, considering the historical government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar.
- The future of Coca-Cola's use of sweeteners is uncertain, as the company has yet to confirm Trump's assertion and has only hinted at additional details regarding new offerings.
