U.S. News

Trump and RFK Jr. Pressure Pays Off: Coca-Cola to Debut Cane Sugar Cola in U.S.

By Jake Beardslee · July 23, 2025

Coca-Cola announced Tuesday that it will introduce a version of its flagship cola sweetened with cane sugar in the U.S. this fall, a move that marks a shift from its long-standing use of high-fructose corn syrup. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, where he claimed he had spoken with the company about using “REAL Cane Sugar” in its products.

Coke began using high-fructose corn syrup in the 1980s, a practice common among major U.S. soda producers due to the lower cost of corn syrup compared to imported sugar, which faces tariff-rate quotas. Despite this, cane sugar-sweetened Coca-Cola has remained popular in markets such as Mexico, where “Mexican Coke” has gained a U.S. following thanks to retailers like Costco and Target.

Coke CEO James Quincey acknowledged the president’s public remarks during an earnings call Tuesday: “As you may have seen last week, we appreciate the president’s enthusiasm for our Coca-Cola brand.” He confirmed that the cane sugar cola will “complement the company’s strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences.”

The shift also aligns with broader efforts within the beverage industry to experiment with sweetener alternatives amid growing scrutiny of high-fructose corn syrup. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key figure in the Trump administration, has publicly blamed corn syrup for rising obesity and chronic disease rates—though scientific research has not shown cane sugar to be a healthier alternative.

Quincey added that the company already uses cane sugar in products like Vitaminwater, lemonade, and tea. “I think it’s a good sign that the industry, including ourselves, are trying lots of different things as it relates to the cane sugar,” he said.

Coca-Cola has recently emphasized its push toward lower-sugar beverages, with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar reporting 9% volume growth last year. PepsiCo, Coke’s primary competitor, is also leaning into cane sugar with new products, including a Pepsi Prebiotic Cola slated to launch soon, containing both fiber and cane sugar.