Latest news with #USCoke
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
The Quest to Find Enough Cane Sugar for American Coke
Coca-Cola is set to reach out for more cane sugar as it works to launch new Coke in the US. How easy will it be? Welcome to the new Business of Food newsletter, covering how the world feeds itself in a changing economy and climate, from farming to supply chains to consumer trends. This week, Micah Barkley looks at the challenge of adding cane sugar to US Coke. Any tips or feedback? Email food czar Agnieszka de Sousa. And if you aren't yet signed up to receive this newsletter, please do so here.
Int'l Business Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Coca-Cola Called Out After Bending to Trump's Request to Use Cane Sugar in Their Soda: 'How Is This Different Than Mexican Coke?'
The Coca-Cola company has drawn ire from social media users after caving to President Donald Trump's demands to change the ingredients of their iconic drink. Trump took to social media to advocate for the company to manufacture its iconic drink with real cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. "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. I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You'll see. It's just better!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Thursday. The Coca-Cola company sweetens products manufactured in the US with high fructose corn syrup, whereas products manufactured in other countries, such as in Mexico, are sweetened with cane sugar. Whether or not Mexican Coke is better than US Coke is a highly debated topic amongst soda enjoyers. The drinks company then announced in a press release that it would be launching "an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range." Social media users took to online platforms to mock the company for seemingly bending to the 47th President's will, further stating that this "new" product was just Mexican Coke. "How is this different than Mexican Coke?" questioned one user. "At that point I'll just buy the Mexican coke lol," concurred another. "It's called Mexican Coke available in stores now," a third said. "Mexican Coke for all," added a fourth. "Will they repackage Mexican Coke and call it Trump Coke?" joked another. Coca-Cola has not responded to confused fans. Originally published on Latin Times
Mint
16-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Donald Trump claims Coca-Cola has agreed to switch to real cane sugar in United States
orts US President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that Coca-Cola agreed to use real cane sugar in its U.S. beverages after his discussions with the company. Trump wrote 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. I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You'll see. It's just better!' Trump's Truth Social post on Coca Cola This follows Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presenting Trump with a custom Diet Coke bottle for his January inauguration, continuing a tradition since 2005 where commemorative bottles mark presidential transitions. Trump, a known Diet Coke enthusiast consuming up to 12 cans daily during his first term, previously received a standard Coca-Cola bottle in 2017 before the company corrected it to his preferred diet version. As of now, Coca-Cola hasn't confirmed Trump's claim. Historically, US Coke switched from sugar to cheaper high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in 1984 due to Reagan-era sugar import quotas that doubled domestic sugar prices. Reverting to cane sugar would significantly raise costs: Mexican Coke (made with cane sugar) sells at premium prices, with 12-packs costing $15-$20 versus $6 for HFCS-sweetened Coca-Cola. The company recently faced criticism over its commemorative Trump bottle, with media calling it 'peak spineless groveling', and is simultaneously weighing increased plastic usage if Trump's aluminum tariffs raise can costs. Despite beliefs that cane sugar is healthier, reports suggest that nutrition scientists emphasize HFCS and sugar are chemically similar. The "Mexican Coke" trend thrives on nostalgia for glass bottles and perceptions of "authenticity," though Smithsonian curator Peter Liebhold argues it ironically supports global capitalism while marketing itself as anti-corporate. Coca-Cola's recent product launches, like Simply Gold Peak teas, already use cane sugar, targeting premium markets. Shifting all U.S. production to cane sugar would require massive supply chain overhauls and likely trigger price hikes. Coca-Cola currently uses diverse sweeteners: HFCS in mainstream sodas, cane sugar in niche products (Mexican Coke, "Heritage" editions), and aspartame in diet lines. With Trump's aluminum tariffs threatening packaging costs, simultaneous sweetener changes could squeeze profits. Analysts suggest any sugar transition would be gradual, starting with limited editions. Meanwhile, the company's sustainability goals face pressure, it was named the world's top plastic polluter for six consecutive years.
