Coca-Cola announces new cane sugar drink following Trump push

In the United States, Coca-Cola has announced its intention to launch a new product sweetened with cane sugar, set to debut in the fall of 2025. This decision comes amid ongoing support from President Donald Trump, who claimed he influenced the company to replace high-fructose corn syrup with real cane sugar in its signature drink. Coca-Cola's current U.S. products primarily use high-fructose corn syrup, a change the company made in the mid-1980s due to the lower costs associated with corn, which is heavily subsidized in the country. The announcement was made in the context of the company's second-quarter earnings report, emphasizing its focus on expanding its beverage offerings. However, Coca-Cola clarified that the flagship recipe for its primary Coke product will remain unchanged, and the introduction of cane sugar will be an additional variant rather than a direct replacement. This change has prompted discussions about agricultural economics, particularly the potential job losses in the corn farming sector if cane sugar were to replace corn syrup in broader applications. The Corn Refiners Association has voiced concerns, suggesting that such a shift could negatively impact American agricultural interests. Experts in nutrition have indicated that regardless of the sweetener used, excessive sugar consumption poses significant health risks, and the metabolic effects of cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are largely similar. As a result, industry professionals suggest that reducing overall sugar intake should be a priority rather than merely switching sugar types.