Is Coca-Cola changing its US recipe? What we know so far
While Coca-Cola has yet to announce a recipe change, President Donald Trump said the drink-maker agreed to switch a primary ingredient for its U.S. beverages.
In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, July 16, the president said he has spoke with the company about using "REAL cane sugar" in its flagship soda, adding that company has agreed to do so.
"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!" he wrote.
For its U.S. products, the soft drink manufacturer currently uses high-fructose corn syrup as opposed to cane sugar, which is used in other countries like Mexico.
The announcement aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to shift American food consumption away from certain ingredients, like artificial dyes. While Kennedy has deemed both sugar and high fructose corn syrup as unhealthy, his Make America Healthy Again initiative combatting chronic health problems has claimed the proposed substitutes are ultimately healthier.
Here's what to know about the supposed recipe change.
What has Coca-Cola said about the move?
Coca-Cola has not yet confirmed a recipe switch, as of Thursday evening, July 17, but the company teased an announcement could be coming.
"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," the company said in a statement July 16.
A company quarterly earnings call is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2025 starting at 8:30 a.m. ET.
What has Trump, the White House said?
The White House has not responded to Paste BN's requests for comment after Trump initially announced the recipe switch on Truth Social July 16.
"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!
Wall Street reacts: Stock prices of high fructose syrup producer ADM drop
Archer-Daniels-Midland, a major producer of high fructose syrup, saw its shares fall close to 1% on July 17, following Trump's announcement.
Meanwhile, ingredients provider Ingredion saw its shares decline by 0.6% after falling as much as 7% ahead of the market’s open, CNBC reported.
Coca-Cola shares rose nearly 2% on Thursday.
Is cane sugar healthier than corn syrup?
If consumed in excess, both cane and high-fructose corn syrup, like all sugars, can carry negative health effects including weight gain, diabetes and heart disease.
While some studies have suggested that high-fructose corn syrup may be linked to increased fat production and inflammation, the FDA says it is "not aware of any evidence" of a difference in safety between foods containing high-fructose corn syrup and "foods containing similar amounts of other nutritive sweeteners with approximately equal glucose and fructose content, such as sucrose, honey, or other traditional sweeteners."
How would the recipe change impact Coca-Cola?
Coca-Cola switching from cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup would pose changes to cost and product labeling, Reuters reported, citing industry analysts. The company would have to significantly adjust its supply chains as the two sweeteners primarily come from different producers.
Is corn syrup cheaper than sugar?
Ron Sterk, a senior editor at food industry insider SOSland Publishing, said it is cheaper for U.S. food and beverage companies to use corn syrup than cane sugar, Reuters reported.
Contributing: Reuters and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Paste BN