President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to stop using high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its U.S. soft drinks and switch to cane sugar. The company, however, has not confirmed the change, leaving industry experts, consumers, and political observers asking: is this a policy shift—or just a presidential suggestion?
Speaking on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I spoke with the heads of Coca-Cola, and they AGREED — no more corn syrup in Coke! We’re going back to REAL sugar. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
Coca-Cola did not confirm the claim in a statement released shortly after. “We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand,” a company spokesperson said. “We look forward to sharing news about upcoming innovative offerings, but we have no changes to announce at this time.”
A Political Sugar Rush
Trump’s remarks appear to reflect a broader health-focused push under his second administration. The “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has made processed food ingredients—particularly HFCS and artificial additives—a central target.
Kennedy, known for his skepticism of food industry practices, has publicly blamed HFCS for rising obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions in the U.S. Though critics question the scientific basis of some of his claims, Kennedy has remained vocal, calling for “cleaner, more transparent food standards.”
Trump’s comments may also be intended to appeal to a growing segment of American consumers who view cane sugar as a more “natural” sweetener. Mexican Coke, which contains cane sugar, has long enjoyed a cult following in the U.S., with fans claiming it has a smoother taste compared to its HFCS-based counterpart.
Industry Pushback
Not everyone is cheering. The Corn Refiners Association, which represents U.S. corn syrup producers, warned of economic consequences if such a change were implemented.
“Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense,” said John Bode, the association’s CEO. “It could reduce farm incomes, eliminate jobs in food manufacturing, and increase dependence on imported sugar.”
The U.S. sugar industry is tightly regulated, with quotas and tariffs restricting imports. A sudden increase in demand for cane sugar could strain domestic supply chains and raise costs across the board—not just for soda, but for many packaged foods.
Coca-Cola’s Sweetener Strategy
Coca-Cola began using HFCS in the U.S. in the 1980s as a cost-saving measure after sugar prices spiked. Today, most U.S. sodas, including Coca-Cola Classic, are sweetened with HFCS. However, the company already sells cane sugar-sweetened variants—such as Mexican Coke and special seasonal editions—to cater to niche markets.
In practice, a complete reformulation of its flagship product in the U.S. would represent a significant operational shift. The company would need to rework supply chains, manufacturing processes, and possibly pricing strategies.
As of Thursday morning, Coca-Cola has not released a timeline or official confirmation that any reformulation is underway.
A Wait-and-See Moment
Whether Trump’s claim is the start of a national sweetener overhaul—or just wishful thinking—remains unclear. For now, Coca-Cola is walking a careful line: acknowledging the president’s enthusiasm without committing to any specific changes.
