New Sugar Cane Coke Coming To US Market After Trump Push

BERLIN, July 25 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Pushed by the US president, Coca-Cola announced it will offer a new version within US borders made with domestically produced sugar cane, while still producing its usual high-fructose corn syrup version, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

This decision, prodded by Donald Trump on social media, followed the company’s quarterly financial results this week.

James Quincey, Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the firm will continue to expand its products made with sugar cane due to consumer demand.

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Quincey said the new soda variety will not replace “classic” Coke, as the use of corn syrup in the company’s offerings will continue.

Mexican Coke, which uses white sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, is already available in the US market but is more expensive. Some consumers accustomed to the Mexican version prefer it and actively seek it out.

Coca-Cola’s decision to make a new soda with US-produced sugar cane is reportedly a strategic move to promote sugar production in the US and meet consumer demand.

Sugar imports to the US face tariff quotas, which keep domestic sugar prices well above the global average.

While the new version of Coke is expected to hit shelves in the coming weeks, there are concerns about sugar cane production in the US, as it may fall short of domestic demand.

Experts say there is no significant health difference between sugar cane and corn syrup, as it is the overall sugar consumption that needs to be reduced.

The Trump administration has been pressuring the US food industry to reformulate some unhealthy products, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

Despite Kennedy’s campaign decrying high-fructose corn syrup and additives, Coca-Cola will continue selling its regular corn syrup cola alongside the sugar cane version.

The US food industry is moving to gradually remove artificial colouring and additives from food products. Kraft Heinz, Lay’s, Tostitos, and Hershey’s have decided to eliminate these from their offerings in the coming years.

The US Food and Drug Administration is in the process of phasing out certain additives, but rising costs and supply chain issues may make the transition more difficult.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU