Coca-Cola May Switch to Cane Sugar in US Market

President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the United States, a move he suggested. However, Coca-Cola has not confirmed this development. The potential switch from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in the U.S. market would align Coca-Cola's practices in the United States with those in other countries, such as Mexico and Australia. This change would not affect Diet Coke, which uses aspartame as a calorie-free sweetener.

Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the potential change, stating that it would be a positive move for the company. A spokesperson for Coca-Cola acknowledged Trump's enthusiasm and promised to share more details about new product offerings soon. The company has a history of catering to U.S. consumers who prefer cane sugar by importing glass bottles of Mexican Coke since 2005.

The potential shift to cane sugar could have implications for the nation's corn farmers, whose yields are used in artificial sweeteners. The Corn Refiners Association expressed concern, stating that replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would result in job losses in the food manufacturing sector, depress farm income, and increase imports of foreign sugar, with no nutritional benefit.

Trump's relationship with Coca-Cola has been complex. In 2012, he suggested a link between diet soda and weight gain, which drew criticism from the company. Despite this, Trump has been a notable consumer of Diet Coke, reportedly drinking a dozen cans daily. His preference for Diet Coke is well-documented, with a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office to summon a White House butler to bring him a can.

The potential change in Coca-Cola's sweetener could have significant implications for the beverage industry and agricultural sector. However, without official confirmation from Coca-Cola, the details and timeline of this potential shift remain unclear. The company's spokesperson has indicated that more information will be forthcoming, leaving industry observers and consumers awaiting further developments.