Introduction to the Controversy
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Coca-Cola in the U.S. will begin to be made with cane sugar, but the company did not explicitly say that was the case when asked later about the president’s claim.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday afternoon, Trump said he had been speaking to Coca-Cola about using cane sugar in the sodas sold in the U.S., and that the company agreed to his idea.
The President’s Claim
"This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!" Trump wrote in the post. But Coca-Cola did not commit to the change when asked later by NBC News about Trump’s social media post. "We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand," a company spokesperson said in a statement. "More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon."
Uncertainty Surrounding the Agreement
It remains unclear whether Coca-Cola agreed to Trump’s cane sugar proposal, or if the beloved soda will still be made with corn syrup going forward. The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, named for the social movement aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has pushed food companies to alter their formulations to remove ingredients like artificial dyes.
Current Practices and History
Coca-Cola produced for the U.S. market is typically sweetened with corn syrup, while the company uses cane sugar in some other countries, including Mexico and various European nations. The company in 1984 announced it was going to “significantly increase” the amount of corn syrup it was using in its U.S. products, the New York Times reported at the time. Coca-Cola said it would use corn syrup to sweeten bottled and canned Coke, as well as caffeine Coke, but left itself “flexibility” to use other sweeteners like sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, the Times reported.
Health Concerns and Initiatives
Kennedy has been critical of the amount of sugar consumed in the American diet and has said that updated dietary guidelines released this summer will advise Americans to eat "whole food." Trump has been known to enjoy Coca-Cola products. The Wall Street Journal reported that a Diet Coke button, which allows the president to order the soda on demand, has joined him in the Oval Office for both of his terms.
Conclusion
The announcement by President Trump that Coca-Cola would begin using cane sugar in its U.S. products has been met with ambiguity by the company. While Trump’s enthusiasm for the change is evident, Coca-Cola’s commitment to it remains unclear. As the country awaits further details on this potential shift, the debate over sugar consumption and healthier alternatives continues to be a topic of discussion.
FAQs
- Q: What did President Trump claim about Coca-Cola’s future production?
A: President Trump claimed that Coca-Cola in the U.S. will begin to be made with cane sugar. - Q: How did Coca-Cola respond to Trump’s claim?
A: Coca-Cola did not explicitly confirm Trump’s claim, stating they appreciate his enthusiasm and will share more details on new offerings soon. - Q: What is the current sweetener used in Coca-Cola products in the U.S.?
A: Coca-Cola produced for the U.S. market is typically sweetened with corn syrup. - Q: What initiative has pushed for changes in food formulations?
A: The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative has pushed food companies to alter their formulations to remove ingredients like artificial dyes. - Q: What are the updated dietary guidelines expected to advise?
A: The updated dietary guidelines are expected to advise Americans to eat "whole food."
