Coca-Cola agrees to switch to cane sugar with US drinks, Trump says
President Donald Trump says he has agreed to start using cane sugar in American drinks, similar to recipes used in other countries.
Coca-Cola has not yet announced any changes to its recipes, but President Donald Trump said the drink maker has agreed to switch key ingredients in U.S. drinks.
In a Truth Social Post on Wednesday, July 16th, the president said he had spoken with the company about using “real cane sugar” in his flagship soda, adding that the company agreed to do so.
“I want to thank all those who have the authority of Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them – you will see. It’s just right!” he wrote.
In US products, soft drink makers now use high fructose corn syrup, as opposed to cane sugar used in other countries like Mexico.
The announcement coincides with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to move American food consumption away from certain ingredients such as artificial dyes. Kennedy considers both sugar and high fructose corn syrup unhealthy, but his Make America Healthy, who fights his chronic health issues, claims that the proposed alternative is ultimately healthy.
Here’s what you need to know about the expected recipe changes:
What did Coca-Cola say about the move?
Coca-Cola has yet to check the recipe switch as of Thursday evening, July 17th, but the company teased the announcement.
“We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for the iconic Coca-Cola brand. Details of the new innovative products within the Coca-Cola range will soon be shared,” the company said on July 16th.
The company’s quarterly revenue calls are scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 8:30am ET.
What did the White House say?
The White House has not responded to USA Today’s request for comment after Trump first announced the July 16th Truth Social Recipe Switching.
“I’ve been talking to Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in American Cola, and they agreed to do so,” Trump wrote. “I would like to thank all of the Coca-Cola authorities, which will be a very good move by them.
Wall Street Reaction: High Fructose Syrup Producer’s Share Price Drops
Archer-Daniels-Midland, the leading producer of high fructose syrup, saw its shares fall nearly 1% on July 17, following Trump’s announcement.
Meanwhile, materials provider Ingredion fell 0.6% in stock after declining 7% ahead of the market’s opening, CNBC reported.
Coca-Cola shares rose nearly 2% on Thursday.
Is cane sugar healthier than corn syrup?
If consumed in excess, like all sugars, both cane and high fructose corn syrup can have negative health effects such as weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.
While some studies suggest that high fructose corn syrup may be associated with increased fat production and inflammation, the FDA states that it “does not recognize evidence” for differences in safety between high fructose corn syrup and foods that contain roughly equal nutrient sweets and foods that contain roughly equivalent nutrient sweets and mullose, honey, or other fructose content.
How will recipe changes affect Coca-Cola?
Coca-Cola makes changes to cost and product labeling, citing industry analysts with a switch from cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup. The two sweeteners come mainly from different producers, so the company needs to adjust its supply chain significantly.
Is corn syrup cheaper than sugar?
Ron Stark, senior editor at Food Industry Insider Sosland Publishing, said that it’s cheaper for U.S. food and beverage companies to use corn syrup than cane sugar.
Contributions: Reuters and Mary Walrath Holdridge, USA Today
