Coca‑Cola introduced a cane-sugar version of its soda in US markets—months after Donald Trump asked the company to bring back the ingredient.
A new 12-ounce single-serve glass bottle of Coca‑Cola made with U.S. cane sugar is being launched in select markets this fall, a spokesperson told The New York Post.
Just days after Trump's July announcement, Coca-Cola said in its second-quarter earnings report that it was planning to debut a version of its signature soda made with real sugar this fall.
In the 1980s, the beverage giant exchanged cane sugar, which came with high tariffs, for high-fructose corn syrup. High-fructose corn syrup was the cheaper alternative due to corn farming subsidies.
Alongside, Mexican Coca-Cola, made with cane sugar and sold in glass bottles, is still imported into the U.S., it is a rarity that typically carries a higher price tag.
The move underscores Coca‑Cola’s strategy to diversify its product offering and cater to evolving consumer demand for “made-with-real-sugar” beverages. While the classic formula won’t be replaced, this variant could signal a shift in flavour and ingredient preferences—even if both cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup deliver similar sweetness and calories.
Executive Statement
According to The Coca-Cola Company's Chief Financial Officer John Murphy, it’s going to be a measured roll-out. There is only a certain amount of cane sugar available in the United States. As part of its ongoing innovation agenda, this fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range