Coca-Cola defends corn syrup
Coca-Cola defended its use of high-fructose corn syrup after Donald Trump claimed he convinced the company to switch to cane sugar in its U.S. drinks. Trump posted on social media saying he spoke with Coca-Cola and they “agreed” to use “REAL Cane Sugar,” calling it a “better” choice. Initially, Coca-Cola thanked Trump for his enthusiasm and teased “innovative offerings.”
However, the company later clarified its position, saying high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is safe and metabolized similarly to sugar. In a statement, Coca-Cola explained HFCS is just a sweetener made from corn, with comparable calories to cane sugar. They also cited the American Medical Association’s finding that HFCS does not contribute to obesity more than other sweeteners.
Trump’s remarks come amid his controversies surrounding the Epstein files and his documented love of Diet Coke, which contains aspartame instead of sugar. A shift to cane sugar could impact the $285 billion U.S. soft drinks market, where “Mexican Coke,” made with cane sugar, already sells at a premium.
Coca-Cola switched to HFCS in the 1980s due to U.S. farming subsidies and import tariffs on cane sugar. While Trump claimed victory, Coca-Cola maintained that HFCS remains a safe and economical choice.
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