Coca-Cola Defends Corn Syrup After Trump’s Cane Sugar Claim
Soft drink giant insists on safety of high-fructose corn syrup following former president’s social media post.
The Coca-Cola Company has pushed back against claims made by **Donald Trump** that he persuaded the company to switch to sugar cane in its U.S. beverages. The former president asserted on social media that Coca-Cola had agreed to his suggestion, mirroring practices in Mexico and the United Kingdom.
Trump’s Bold Assertion
Late Tuesday, **Trump** posted on social media: “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!”
The Coca-Cola Company, the largest beverage company in the world, is coming home! They have agreed to bring back real sugar for the American people. @CocaCola #MAGA pic.twitter.com/I1x2qF5H0Q
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2024
Initially, the beverage manufacturer offered a polite acknowledgment of **President Trump’s** “enthusiasm” and alluded to forthcoming “new innovative offerings” within its product line.
Company’s Defense of HFCS
However, by Thursday, Coca-Cola issued a more detailed statement actively promoting the benefits of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This sweetener has faced criticism, with some linking it to rising U.S. obesity rates and making it a target for health advocates.
“The name sounds complex, but high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) – which we use to sweeten some of our beverages – is actually just a sweetener made from corn,”
Coca-Cola stated. The company emphasized its safety, noting it contains comparable calories per serving to table sugar and is metabolized similarly by the body.
The company further cited the American Medical Association, asserting that HFCS is not more likely to contribute to obesity than regular sugar or other calorie-containing sweeteners. Coca-Cola assured consumers that its branded soft drinks contain no harmful substances.
“The AMA released a statement saying it recognized ‘that at the present time, insufficient evidence exists to specifically restrict use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or other fructose-containing sweeteners in the food supply or to require the use of warning labels on products containing HFCS’.”
— Coca-Cola Company
The company’s stance aligns with a 2023 AMA policy that found inadequate evidence to specifically restrict HFCS or mandate warning labels on products containing it.
Broader Context and Market Implications
**Trump’s** engagement in the sugar debate occurs as he navigates controversy surrounding the release of files related to **Jeffrey Epstein**. It is widely known that **Trump** is a significant consumer of Diet Coke, reportedly having a dedicated button for summoning the beverage.
Diet Coke, however, does not contain either corn syrup or sugar cane, utilizing the artificial sweetener aspartame.
A potential shift by Coca-Cola to sugar cane could significantly impact the U.S. soft drink market, valued at $285 billion. Coca-Cola’s Mexican version, sweetened with cane sugar and often sold at a premium as “Mexican Coke” in the U.S., highlights consumer preference for this ingredient.
The company’s move to HFCS in the U.S. during the 1980s was influenced by domestic corn subsidies, avoiding tariffs on imported sugar cane. However, reversing this decision could be costly, especially if **Trump’s** tariffs on sugar-producing nations remain in effect.
This discussion follows prior clashes between **Trump** and Coca-Cola regarding voting access in Georgia. Despite these past disagreements, Coca-Cola CEO **James Quincey** presented **Trump** with a commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke bottle before his second inauguration.
