At Trump's request, Coca-Cola to make sugar cane Coke for US market

BERLIN

Pushed by the US president, Coca-Cola announced it will offer a new version inside US borders with domestically produced sugar cane while still producing its normal high-fructose corn syrup version.

This decision, prodded by Donald Trump on social media, followed the company’s quarterly financial results this week.

James Quincey, Coca-Cola chairman and CEO, said in a statement that the firm will continue to expand its products with sugar cane due to consumer demand.

Quincey said the new soda variety will not replace “classic” Coke, as the use of corn syrup in the company’s offerings will continue.

Mexican Coke, which uses white sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, is already available in the US market but is more expensive. Some consumers used to the Mexican version prefer it and seek it out.

Coca-Cola’s decision to make a new soda with US-produced sugar cane is reportedly a strategic move to promote sugar production in the US and meet consumer demand. Sugar imports to the US face tariff quotes, which keep domestic sugar prices well above the global average.

While the new version of Coke is expected to hit shelves in the coming weeks, there are concerns about sugar cane production in the US, as production may fall short of domestic demand.

Experts say there is no significant difference for health between sugar cane and corn syrup, as it is the overall sugar consumption that needs to be reduced.

The Trump administration has been pressuring the US food industry to reformulate some unhealthy products, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

Despite Kennedy’s campaign decrying high-fructose corn syrup and additives, Coca-Cola will continue selling its regular corn syrup cola alongside the sugar cane version..

The US food industry is moving to gradually remove artificial coloring and additives from food ingredients. Kraft-Heinz, Lay’s, Tostitos, and Hershey’s decided to remove these from their offerings in the coming years.

The US Food and Drug Administration is in the process of phasing out certain additives but rising costs and supply chain problems may make the transition more difficult.