Major beverage company refuses to confirm or deny alterations to the ingredients in their well-known soft drink.
“I have been in discussions with Coca-Cola about the use of REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the US, and they have agreed to proceed with this change,” wrote Trump.
“I would like to extend my thanks to those responsible at Coca-Cola for making that decision,” he added.
Trump remarked that this change is “going to be a very positive development,” asserting, “You’re sure to notice! It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola did not verify or contradict Trump’s announcement but expressed appreciation for the president’s “passion for our renowned Coca-Cola brand.”
The company stated that more details regarding the new and innovative offerings within its Coca-Cola product line will be announced soon.
“I have been talking with @CocaCola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do it. I want to thank everyone in charge at Coca-Cola for their effort. This choice will surely be beneficial for them — you will see. It’s unarguably better!” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/9L27oxlYUj
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 16, 2025
President Trump, known for his preference for Diet Coke, didn’t explain why he is advocating for a change in the original recipe’s ingredients, but his Secretary of Health, Robert F Kennedy Jr, is an outspoken critic of the prevalence of high-fructose corn syrup in the US diet.
Kennedy, who is dedicated to battling highly processed foods rich in ingredients not commonly found in home kitchens, has described the sweetener as “readily causing obesity and diabetes.”
High-fructose corn syrup, derived from cornstarch, is a preferred choice for many US manufacturers due to its cost-effectiveness, partly thanks to government corn subsidies and tariffs on sugar imports.
Coca-Cola adopted high-fructose corn syrup for its US production in the 1980s but continues to use cane sugar in many international versions of its flagship drink, including the version in Mexico, which is celebrated for its unique flavor.
While high sugar consumption in the US is a leading factor in the majority of the populace being overweight or obese, there is currently no scientific consensus that high-fructose corn syrup is less healthy than cane sugar or other sweeteners.
In a 2018 fact sheet, the US Food and Drug Administration stated it was “unaware of any evidence” suggesting a “safety difference” between foods containing high-fructose corn syrup and those with different sweeteners, like sugar and honey.
