Latest news with #MexicanCoca-Cola
1News
24-07-2025
- Health
- 1News
Trump loves cane sugar in his Coca-Cola – is it better for you?
President Donald Trump teased the announcement last week, but now the Coca-Cola company has confirmed it: a cane sugar-sweetened version of the beverage maker's trademark soda will be released in the US this year. For decades, Coke and the makers of other soft drinks have generally used high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners in their products manufactured in the US. But American consumers are increasingly looking for food and drinks with fewer and more natural ingredients, and beverage companies are responding. The Royal Society says in New Zealand, sucrose - derived from cane sugar - is the most common sweetener in fizzy drinks, unlike the US where high-fructose corn syrup is more prevalent. PepsiCo and Dr Pepper have sold versions of their flagship sodas sweetened with cane sugar in the US since 2009. Coca-Cola has sold Mexican Coke — which uses cane sugar — in the US since 2005, but it's positioned a trendy alternative and sold in glass bottles. Coke with cane sugar will likely be more widely available. Here are some frequently asked questions about the sweeteners in US sodas: ADVERTISEMENT What's the difference between cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup? Many consumers know that consuming too many sweets can negatively affect their health, but soda drinkers sometimes debate if either cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup is better (or worse) than the other. The short answer is that it doesn't make a difference, said Marion Nestle, one of the nation's top nutrition experts and professor emeritus at New York University. High fructose corn syrup is made of the simple sugars glucose and fructose in liquid form. Cane sugar, also known as sucrose, is made of glucose and fructose bonded, but quickly split, Nestle explained. Both are still sugars, with about the same amount of calories. Whether a can of Coca-Cola contains one or the other, it will still be a sugary drink with about the same amount of calories and the same potential to increase well-documented health problems from obesity and diabetes to tooth decay. Why did soda companies switch from using sugar to high fructose corn syrup? ADVERTISEMENT ottles of Mexican Coca-Cola are displayed at a grocery storeottles of Mexican Coca-Cola are displayed at a grocery store (Source: Associated Press) High fructose corn syrup costs less. According to price data from the US Department of Agriculture, the wholesale price of HFCS-55, the type of corn syrup most commonly used in beverages, averaged US49.4 cents (NZ82 cents) per pound last year. The average wholesale price of refined cane sugar was US60.1 cents (NZ$1) per pound, while the average wholesale price of refined beet sugar was US51.7 cents (NZ85 cents) per pound. But high fructose corn syrup has advantages beyond price. According to a 2008 paper in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, high fructose corn syrup is more stable than sugar when added to acidic beverages, and it can be pumped directly from delivery trucks into storage and mixing tanks. Why is high fructose corn syrup less expensive that sugar? Tariffs are one reason. The US has had barriers on sugar imports almost back to its founding; the first went into place in 1789, according to the Cato Institute, a think tank that advocates free markets. Since the passage of the Farm Bill in 1981, the US has had a system in place that raises duties on sugar once a certain amount has been imported. The US also has domestic production controls that limit supplies, keeping prices higher. But high fructose corn syrup is also cheaper because of the federal government's billions of dollars in subsidies for corn farmers. Loans, direct payments, insurance premium subsidies and surplus crop purchases all lower farmers' costs – and the price of the corn they grow. ADVERTISEMENT Are sugar replacements used in diet sodas safe? Bottles of Coca-Cola are displayed at a grocery store in Mount Prospect (Source: Associated Press) While cutting back on added sugars has documented benefits, replacing them with artificial sweeteners is complicated, too. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, introduced in 2017, uses the artificial sweetener aspartame and the natural sweetener stevia in its recipe. But research suggests that aspartame may be linked to cancer. In 2023, a committee for the World Health Organisation determined that aspartame should be categorised 'as possibly carcinogenic to humans'. While that doesn't mean that diet soda causes cancer, the scientific committee concluded that there may be a possible link between aspartame and liver cancer, and that the issue should be studied further. The US Food and Drug Administration disagreed with the WHO panel, citing 'significant shortcomings' in the research that backed the conclusion. ADVERTISEMENT FDA officials noted that aspartame is one of the most studied food additives and said 'FDA scientists do not have safety concerns' when it is used under approved conditions. Stevia, a plant-based sweetener, appears to be 'a safe choice', according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group. - with
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sweetening soft drinks: What to know about sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and their alternatives
President Donald Trump teased the announcement last week, but the Coca-Cola Co. confirmed it Tuesday: a cane sugar-sweetened version of the beverage maker's trademark soda will be released in the U.S. this fall. For decades, Coke and the makers of other soft drinks have generally used high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners in their products manufactured in the U.S. But American consumers are increasingly looking for food and drinks with fewer and more natural ingredients, and beverage companies are responding. PepsiCo and Dr Pepper have sold versions of their flagship sodas sweetened with cane sugar since 2009. Coca-Cola has sold Mexican Coke — which uses cane sugar — in the U.S. since 2005, but it's positioned a trendy alternative and sold in glass bottles. Coke with cane sugar will likely be more widely available. Bottles of Mexican Coca-Cola are displayed at a grocery store in Mount Prospect, Ill., Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Here are some frequently asked questions about the sweeteners in U.S. sodas: What's the difference between cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup? Many consumers know that consuming too many sweets can negatively affect their health, but soda drinkers sometimes debate if either cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup is better (or worse) than the other. The short answer is that it doesn't make a difference, said Marion Nestle, one of the nation's top nutrition experts and professor emeritus at New York University. High-fructose corn syrup is made of the simple sugars glucose and fructose in liquid form. Cane sugar, also known as sucrose, is made of glucose and fructose bonded, but quickly split, Nestle explained. Both are still sugars, with about the same amount of calories. Whether a can of Coca-Cola contains one or the other, it will still be a sugary drink with about the same amount of calories and the same potential to increase well-documented health problems from obesity and diabetes to tooth decay. Why did soda companies switch from using sugar to high-fructose corn syrup? High-fructose corn syrup costs less. According to price data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the wholesale price of HFCS-55, the type of corn syrup most commonly used in beverages, averaged 49.4 cents per pound last year. The average wholesale price of refined cane sugar was 60.1 cents per pound, while the average wholesale price of refined beet sugar was 51.7 cents per pound. But high-fructose corn syrup has advantages beyond price. According to a 2008 paper in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, high-fructose corn syrup is more stable than sugar when added to acidic beverages, and it can be pumped directly from delivery trucks into storage and mixing tanks. Why is high-fructose corn syrup less expensive that sugar? Tariffs are one reason. The U.S. has had barriers on sugar imports almost back to its founding; the first went into place in 1789, according to the Cato Institute, a think tank that advocates free markets. Since the passage of the Farm Bill in 1981, the U.S. has had a system in place that raises duties on sugar once a certain amount has been imported. The U.S. also has domestic production controls that limit supplies, keeping prices higher. But high-fructose corn syrup is also cheaper because of the federal government's billions of dollars in subsidies for corn farmers. Loans, direct payments, insurance premium subsidies and surplus crop purchases all lower farmers' costs – and the price of the corn they grow. Are sugar replacements used in diet sodas safe? While cutting back on added sugars has documented benefits, replacing them with artificial sweeteners is complicated, too. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, introduced in 2017, uses the artificial sweetener aspartame and the natural sweetener stevia in its recipe. But research suggests that aspartame may be linked to cancer. In 2023, a committee for the World Health Organization determined that aspartame should be categorized 'as possibly carcinogenic to humans.' While that doesn't mean that diet soda causes cancer, the scientific committee concluded that there may be a possible link between aspartame and liver cancer, and that the issue should be studied further. The U.S. Food and Drug administration disagreed with the WHO panel, citing 'significant shortcomings' in the research that backed the conclusion. FDA officials noted that aspartame is one of the most studied food additives and said 'FDA scientists do not have safety concerns' when it is used under approved conditions. Stevia, a plant-based sweetener, appears to be 'a safe choice,' according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group. ___ Durbin reported from Detroit. Aleccia reported from Los Angeles.
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Your guide to must-visit main streets in Prince Edward County for a perfect day out
If you're like me and love small towns with a vibrant main street, cute shops and unique restaurants, a trip to Prince Edward County will not disappoint. Of course, PEC has a lot to offer from stellar wineries to beautiful beaches — and a wide array of accommodations. But a day of shopping, lunching and strolling the main street is another great way to relax while supporting local business. My girlfriends and I recently made the most of Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington being within close proximity of one another. Here's how you can do it too, in just one day. Main Street in Picton has a wonderful selection of shops featuring everything from books, to kitchen and housewares, to unique thrift items. There is both pay and display street parking available on the street and in a municipal lot, but there is also limited free parking available in municipal lots at 55 King St . and on Mary Street . Books & Company is a must-visit. Not only is there a wide variety of books, gifts, puzzles, toys and more, but the resident cat, Pushkin, adds to the experience at the large but cosy bookshop. It's a treat going into Books and Company in Picton, especially if the resident cat, Pushkin, is nearby. You can also stop by the attached Lily's Café. Here, you can order coffee, sweets and delicious sandwiches. I also bought a beautiful bouquet of dried flowers here. A stroll along Main Street will take you into a variety of different shops, selling goods ranging from affordable to, well, something you might want to save up for. My friends really enjoyed Cylinder Shop , which features the owner's beautiful handmade pottery that's also functional. Local stores lining Picton's main drag offer unique shopping experiences. Cylinder Shop, for example, features locally handmade and functional pottery. Fibre lovers can enjoy Rosehaven Yarn Shop , and there are some beautiful clothing stores, jewelry stores, gift shops and more. It's definitely the largest out of the three main streets we visited. Wellington is located along the north shore of Lake Ontario and boasts many popular wineries. It also has an adorable little street for those of us who love to shop. There is free parking in designated areas along Main Street for up to two hours. By the time you get to Wellington, you may be hungry for some lunch. You're in luck on this small but vibrant Main Street. We tried La Condesa , which serves up authentic small-plated Mexican cuisine and it was delicious. Mexican restaurant La Condesa offers delicious small plates in Wellington, part of Prince Edward County. We had tried to get in the night before, but there was an hour wait. For lunch on a Sunday, we walked right in. I loved the decor, and the Mexican Coca-Cola was a special treat. If you've ever tried it, you know it's better than the same soft drink that is made in North America. Mexican restaurant La Condesa offers delicious small plates in Wellington, part of Prince Edward County. Wellington has some cute shops. One of them, Oak Clothing Co. , also has a coffee shop inside. Wellington in Prince Edward County offers some cute shops and delicious restaurants. Another dining option is Midtown Brewing Co . Plus, you can order a nice cold beer. We went here when we couldn't get into La Condesa the night before. Wellington in Prince Edward County offers some cute shops and delicious restaurants, including Midtown Brewing. The food, especially the fries with roasted garlic and Parmesan, was delicious. We did have to wait for a table on the Saturday night we went without reservations, but only for a few minutes. Wellington in Prince Edward County offers some cute shops and delicious restaurants. This was taken at Midtown Brewing. While we waited, we wandered over to the Drake Devonshire , which is right on the waterfront. This cool place offers food, drink, arts, culture, a gift shop and a place to stay. The beach is just steps from Main Street as well if you'd like to take a dip or take in some fresh air. The drive in to Bloomfield is beautiful with unique homes and gorgeous gardens. Main Street is a great place to do some shopping. There is plenty of free parking on the street and in lots, for a maximum of two hours. One of the first places you will see on the drive in is Slickers County Ice Cream. It's delicious and made with Ontario cream. Note, there is another location in Picton. Slickers County Ice Cream can be found in Picton and Bloomfield. Once you're finished your ice cream, Main Street is filled with cute, unique shops. I've found some great silver jewelry from Casa Lucia and there are plenty of great gift shops and more. My friends found some special items at Kokito . We had to check out the historic Bull Homestead, which has become Handworks & Outside Inn , featuring unique outbuildings where you can buy work by local artists and artisans. The hanging chairs make for a fun photo opportunity. Bloomfield is filled with art and creativity and this is just one of many places to explore if you love art. The Bull Homestead in Bloomfield makes for an interesting photo backdrop while touring around Prince Edward County. The public washrooms are just off the main street. I always like to know where the public washrooms are when I check out a new place. In Bloomfield, they are just off the main drag. Spa lovers, you can finish your day at Wander . It's a new lakeside resort that offers a spa, food and accommodations. If you want to find a place to eat dinner, you can find delicious food in any three of these towns. All of these places offer much more than just the main street. Make sure to check out their tourism websites if you'd like to see more. Learn what Picton has to offer here . Click here for more on Wellington. Visit this website for more on Bloomfield.
