Donald Trump has claimed Coca-Cola has agreed to make a major change to its flagship soft drink sold in the US at his suggestion. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, the US President said: “I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so.
“I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola,” he added. “This will be a very good move by them — you’ll see. It’s just better!” Any switch from high-fructose corn syrup in Coke sold in the US would put Coca-Cola more in line with its practice in other countries, including Mexico, Australia, and the UK.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson stopped short of confirming such a decision had been made, saying: “We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca‑Cola brand.
“More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca‑Cola product range will be shared soon,” they added, without elaborating further.
Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode voiced his opposition to the idea, saying switching to cane sugar would cost American jobs.
In a statement on the organisation’s website, he wrote: “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense. President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit.
“Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.”
Express.co.uk has approached the Coca-Cola company for comment.
The White House is yet to formally comment on the claim by President Trump or Mr Bode’s comments.
Mexican coke is imported into the US, but in much smaller quantities. But it’s something of a cult favourite, with some preferring its cane sugar taste to the one made in the US.
Mr Trump is known to be a fan of Diet Coke, and reportedly has a button on the Oval Office desk that notifies staff to bring him one.
The Coca-Cola company’s CEO and Chairman James Quincey presented the real estate mogul with a “Presidential Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke bottle” after he won a second term in the White House.