Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday via his platform Truth Social that Coca-Cola will begin using real cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its U.S. beverages.
“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 wrote. G.Business reports this, citing Reuters.
While Coca-Cola did not explicitly confirm a reformulation, a company spokesperson stated that they "appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm" and will “soon share details about new innovative products in the Coca-Cola line.”
In a follow-up post, Trump added:
“This will be a very good move by them – You’ll see. It’s just better!”
Part of the MAHA Initiative: A Health-Driven Political Strategy
The move is aligned with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The initiative calls for a fundamental shift in the food industry, including the elimination of ingredients such as HFCS, industrial seed oils, and artificial dyes — all of which are associated with obesity and developmental health issues, especially in children.
According to a May report by the MAHA Commission, excessive HFCS consumption is believed to contribute to rising childhood obesity and metabolic disorders. Kennedy has also announced that new national dietary guidelines will be issued later this summer, promoting whole-food-based nutrition.
Backlash from the Corn Industry
The announcement sparked immediate criticism from the agricultural sector.
John Bode, President of the Corn Refiners Association, stated:
“Replacing corn syrup with cane sugar will cost thousands of American food industry jobs, reduce farmers' incomes, increase imports of foreign sugar — all with no nutritional benefit.”
Health experts have also pointed out that the metabolic effects of cane sugar and HFCS are largely similar. Most nutritionists agree: the overall intake of added sugars, regardless of type, should be reduced.
Global Sweetening Practices at Coca-Cola
| Region | Primary Sweetener |
|---|---|
| United States | High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) |
| Germany/Europe | Table sugar from sugar beets |
| Mexico, UK | Cane sugar |
| Diet products | Aspartame or stevia-based sweeteners |
Coca-Cola has used HFCS in the U.S. since the 1980s, largely due to corn subsidies and domestic sourcing. In contrast, many other countries — including Mexico and European markets — continue to use cane or beet sugar. According to Coca-Cola’s nutritional data, one 100 ml serving contains approximately 10.6 grams of sugar.
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