Coca-Cola is arguably as American as apple pie. The soda has been around since 1886—its flavor and formula unchanged for over 100 years. In fact, when the brand did try to change Coca-Cola in the 1980s, fans revolted against the “New Coke,” creating a counter-campaign that turned the relaunch into a PR disaster and eventually prompted the company to return to its original formula, or “Coca-Cola Classic.” However, one change from “New Coke” stuck around: the switch from real cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup.
Now, Coca-Cola is back in the news this week after rumors of a recipe change swirled, originating with an unlikely source.
Is Coca-Cola Switching Back to Cane Sugar in the U.S.?
Rumors have been swirling that for the first time in over 40 years, Coca-Cola may be switching from high-fructose corn syrup in its soda back to real cane sugar.
It started on July 16, when President Donald Trump shared in a post on Truth Social, “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.”
However, it appears that this is not yet confirmed on Coca-Cola’s end. In a statement to People, the brand said, “We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand. More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon.”
Coca-Cola has been made with high-fructose corn syrup in the U.S. since the early ’80s, with the change fully cemented by 1984 (though it happened quietly, technically launching a year before “New Coke” debuted). The company made the switch because sugar prices were on the rise and corn syrup was cheaper, as it was subsidized by the U.S. government (though some claim there were other reasons behind the change). Cost likely remains a driving factor to this day.
In fact, some are arguing the change wouldn’t be feasible or cost-efficient for Coca-Cola to implement at this time. The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) issued a statement on the topic, writing, “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense. President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.”
The call for the switch is part of a larger movement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remove food additives and controversial ingredients from the U.S. food system. Recently, several large companies, including Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, and Hershey’s, have pledged to remove additives like artificial colors from their products.
Coca-Cola has yet to officially confirm if and when it will make any changes to its products, including its signature soda and its subsidiaries, which include Fanta, Sprite, Simply, and more.
In the meantime, you can already buy Coke made with real cane sugar in the U.S. Seasonally, Coca-Cola made with cane sugar pops up in grocery stores—denoted by its yellow cap—which is designated for Jewish people observing Passover. But year-round, American consumers can shop and sip Mexican Coke, or Coca-Cola de México, which is made with real sugar and imported widely throughout the States. Other countries, including Australia, still manufacture Coca-Cola with cane sugar, as well, though they’re harder to find stateside.