In a surprising announcement that’s stirred both nostalgia and skepticism, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on July 16 that Coca-Cola is planning to switch its U.S. recipe back to real cane sugar. The bold statement was posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he asserted:
“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.”
While Trump’s post quickly gained attention, Coca-Cola has not released any official confirmation of such a reformulation. As of now, U.S. Coca-Cola products continue to be sweetened primarily with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A practice Coca-Cola adopted in the 1980s due to its cost-effectiveness compared to cane sugar.
A Look Back: From Sugar to Syrup
Coca-Cola originally used cane sugar in its beverages until the early 1980s. Like many soft drink companies at the time, it transitioned to HFCS in the U.S. in response to rising sugar prices and government subsidies on corn.
Outside the U.S., many countries still enjoy Coca-Cola sweetened with cane sugar. In fact, the U.S. market gets a taste of it only through:
- Imported “Mexican Coke”
- Passover editions
- Limited-edition or craft releases
These products are highly sought after for their smoother taste profile and perceived “natural” edge.
Trump’s declaration has raised eyebrows in both the political and food industries. While he framed the potential switch as a pro-health, pro-American sugar movement, critics argue that replacing HFCS with cane sugar may have limited nutritional impact, as both are still forms of added sugar.
Nutrition experts, according to IndiaTimes and Food & Wine, caution that excessive sugar regardless of type can lead to health risks like diabetes and heart disease.
So far, Coca-Cola has not issued any public statement confirming Trump’s claim. The company’s pressroom and social channels remain silent on the matter. Without official confirmation, many speculate whether Trump’s post was a push for policy influence, an early leak of private talks, or simple campaign optics.
Conclusion
Until Coca-Cola officially announces a switch from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in its U.S. beverages, Trump’s statement remains unverified. Whether it’s a marketing move or the start of a significant ingredient shift, the public will be watching closely especially fans of the classic Coke taste they remember from decades past.
