Coca-Cola to Switch to Real Sugar in U.S. Beverages Amid MAHA Initiative

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Coca-Cola Company has agreed to use real sugar in its beverages sold in the United States. Trump, who has been in communication with the company, expressed his gratitude to Coca-Cola's leadership for their cooperation in making this change. Coca-Cola, however, has not confirmed the change in formulation. The company's spokesperson did not provide a clear confirmation of the adjustment. Currently, Coca-Cola products sold in the U.S. primarily use high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as their main sweetener, while in other countries, such as Mexico, real sugar is used.

The announcement comes as part of the broader "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative, which aims to reform food recipes by removing artificial colors and other additives. The initiative, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been pushing for changes in food formulations to promote healthier eating habits. The MAHA committee has previously reported that excessive consumption of high-fructose corn syrup can lead to childhood obesity and other health issues.

The shift to real sugar in Coca-Cola's U.S. products aligns with the MAHA initiative's goals of promoting natural and healthier ingredients. This change could have significant implications for the beverage industry, as it may influence other companies to reconsider their sweetener choices. However, the full extent of the impact remains to be seen, as Coca-Cola has not yet provided detailed information on the scope of the change or the timeline for implementation. The company has indicated that more information will be available when it releases its financial report on July 22.

Coca-Cola has been using high-fructose corn syrup in its U.S. products due to its stability, lower cost, and higher sweetness compared to real sugar. This sweetener is widely used in packaged foods. The use of real sugar in Coca-Cola's U.S. products could potentially increase the demand for sugar, which is expected to account for approximately 30% of the domestic sugar supply in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with the remaining supply coming from beet sugar and imported sugar from countries such as Mexico.

Critics of the change, including the U.S. Corn Refiners Association, argue that replacing high-fructose corn syrup with real sugar is not a rational decision. They contend that this shift could result in job losses in the U.S. food manufacturing industry, reduced income for farmers, and increased imports of foreign sugar, without providing any nutritional benefits. The association's chairman, John Bode, stated that the change would not bring any health advantages and could negatively impact the U.S. economy.

Trump's personal preference for Diet Coke, which uses the artificial sweetener aspartame, adds an interesting layer to the situation. Coca-Cola's CEO, James Quincey, had previously gifted Trump a customized bottle of Diet Coke to celebrate his inauguration. This personal preference may have influenced Trump's push for healthier ingredients in Coca-Cola's products, aligning with his broader health initiatives.