Coca-Cola to add new drink made with cane sugar after Trump's push
Coca-Cola will add a new soda beverage made with real cane sugar this fall, the company says.
Coca-Cola announced the development in its second-quarter report, according to a news release on Tuesday, July 22. The beverage company was reticent last week when President Donald Trump proclaimed on July 16 that Coca-Cola had agreed to use real cane sugar for its soda beverages sold in the U.S.
The Atlanta-based company did not announce that switch, however, but said that this fall Coca-Cola "plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range," according to the news release. "This addition is designed to complement the company’s strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences."
The new drink will carry the Coke name. "We're going to bring a Coke sweetened with U.S. cane sugar into the market this fall and I think it will be an enduring option for consumers," Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey said on a post-earnings call Tuesday, July 22. "We are definitely looking use the whole toolbox ... of available sweetening options, to some extent, where there are consumer preferences."
Coca-Cola currently uses high fructose corn syrup to sweeten its U.S. products while cane sugar is used in other countries, including Mexico. There's been a long-running debate on whether Mexican Coke is better than Coke in the U.S.
Quincey noted that Coca-Cola does use cane sugar in some of its other beverages including Gold Peak Sweet Tea, Vitaminwater, Costa Coffee iced coffee drinks, and lemonade.
What did President Trump say about Coke?
President Trump announced July 16 on Truth Social that Coca-Cola would switch from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar.
"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 wrote. "I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them – You’ll see. It’s just better!"
During the earnings call, Quincey said, “We appreciate the President's enthusiasm for our Coca-Cola brand."As part of the company's "ongoing innovation agenda this fall in the United States, we plan to expand our trademark Coca Cola product range with U.S. cane sugar to reflect consumer interest in differentiated experiences," Quincey said. "This edition is designed to complement our strong core portfolio and offer more choice across occasions and preferences.”
Trump's announcement, in part, supports Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to change U.S. food production and consumption away from ingredients such as artificial dyes. While his Make America Healthy Again has deemed both sweeteners unhealthy, some scientists say sugar has some nutritional benefits over high fructose corn.
Coca-Cola revenue rises despite economic 'uncertainty'
Coca-Cola's comparable revenue rose nearly 2.5% to $12.62 billion in the second quarter of 2025, beating estimates of $12.58 billion, based on analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Volumes fell in North America "due to the continued uncertainty and pressure on some socioeconomic segments of consumers," Quincey said.
Demand for pricey sodas has remained choppy in recent quarters, especially in developed countries as consumers, especially in lower-income segments, turned more price-sensitive.
Shares of Coca-Cola, which have risen 12% so far in 2025, were down slightly in early trading Tuesday, July 22.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo and Reuters
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for Paste BN. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day