Trump Says Coca-Cola to Replace Corn Syrup With Cane Sugar in U.S. Products Following Push Under MAHA Health Initiative

Coca-Cola confirmed plans to share new offerings after Trump’s Truth Social post announcing a cane sugar deal, which he called a ‘very good move’ aligned with RFK Jr.’s anti-processed food push and potentially boosting exports from Jamaica and the DR.

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Coca-Cola, one of America’s most iconic brands, has agreed to replace high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with “real cane sugar” in its U.S. Coke products. The claim, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, aligns with the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social, accompanied by an image of a Coca-Cola bottle bearing his name. He described the decision as a “very good move” and thanked the company’s leadership, framing it as a victory for consumer health and his administration’s priorities. The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of processed foods, driven by Kennedy’s vocal criticism of HFCS, which he has linked to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

Following the president's statement, Michelle Agnew, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola, stated, “We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand,” adding that the company would “share details on new offerings soon.”

Coca-Cola has experience with cane sugar in other markets. In Mexico, Australia, the UK, Africa, and the Middle East, Coca-Cola uses cane sugar, often cited by enthusiasts for its smoother taste compared to HFCS-sweetened versions. In the U.S., however, HFCS has been the standard since 1985, driven by cost advantages tied to federal corn subsidies. Mexican Coke, sweetened with cane sugar, is already a niche favorite in the U.S., sold at a premium in glass bottles. Whether Coca-Cola would overhaul its entire U.S. production to adopt cane sugar remains unclear, as such a move would involve significant logistical and economic challenges.