Coca-Cola to Get Sweeter in US: Trump Says Real Sugar Will Replace Corn Syrup

International News: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Coca-Cola will now use real cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup in its soft drinks in the US market. Trump says that the company has taken this decision on his personal request and this will prove to be a very good step for the consumers.

After Trump's statement, the debate on social media has intensified, while Coca-Cola has also reacted to it, although they have not confirmed any clear change. The company did appreciate Trump's support, but did not say whether cane sugar will really be used in their drinks now.

Coca-Cola now contains real cane sugar

Donald Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, writing, "I was talking to Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the US, and they have agreed to do so. I thank the officials of Coca-Cola. This will be a great decision on their part, you will see. It's just better!" Trump's claim created a stir on social media, where many users are considering it a big change in the American health industry.

Coca-Cola's response

Coca-Cola Company issued a brief statement on Trump's statement, saying, "We appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm for the Coca-Cola brand. More information will be shared soon about the new and innovative options coming to our product range." However, the company did not clarify in this statement whether it is actually going to use cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup or not.

Cane Sugar Already Global

It is worth noting that Coca-Cola already uses cane sugar outside the US in Mexico, the UK, the Middle East and Africa. In 1985, the company started using high-fructose corn syrup due to rising sugar prices and changes in agricultural subsidies in the US. If Coca-Cola completely returns to cane sugar in the US, it could have a direct impact on American corn farmers and the food manufacturing industry.

Corn Refiners Association expressed displeasure

John Bode, president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, criticized the potential change, saying, "Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would kill thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, reduce farmers' incomes, and increase foreign sugar imports, with no nutritional benefit."

Trump and Diet Coke have a long-standing relationship

The relationship between Trump and Coca-Cola is not new. He has been very fond of Diet Coke during his tenure. According to media reports, Trump used to drink about 12 cans of Diet Coke a day during his presidency. He also had a red button installed in the Oval Office of the White House, through which he could call the butler to bring Diet Coke. Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey also gifted him a special Presidential Inaugural Diet Coke bottle before his inauguration for the second term.