Coca-Cola is set to replace high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with real cane sugar in its U.S. products, according to an announcement made by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.
“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, praising the move as a “very good” decision and thanking company leadership.
However, the president didn’t clarify why he pushed for the change, which notably does not affect his beverage of choice—Diet Coke.
The iconic soda brand has long relied on HFCS, a sweetener that gained widespread use in the U.S. during the 1970s due to corn subsidies and tariffs on imported sugar. HFCS has been a frequent target of criticism, particularly from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.
While Coca-Cola has yet to officially confirm the shift, the company responded with a brief statement: “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.”
Although HFCS and cane sugar are chemically similar—both comprising fructose and glucose—a 2022 clinical review noted only minor differences in health impact, with HFCS linked to slightly higher inflammation markers.
Despite minimal health differences, “Mexican Coke,” which uses cane sugar, remains popular in the U.S. for its “more natural” taste and often fetches a higher price.
Ironically, Trump’s beloved Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame, a low-calorie sugar substitute recently labeled a “possible carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
