Former President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to begin using cane sugar in its beverages sold in the United States, following his discussions with company executives.
“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. I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
In response, a Coca-Cola spokesperson said the Atlanta-based company will soon share details about new product offerings and appreciates Trump’s enthusiasm for its brand. Currently, Coca-Cola sold in the U.S. is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, while cane sugar is used in several international markets.
The move aligns with the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, supported by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which advocates for healthier food standards and the removal of artificial ingredients. Kennedy has repeatedly criticized the high levels of sugar in the American diet and has hinted that upcoming dietary guidelines will encourage consumption of more natural, whole foods.
A recent MAHA Commission report, commissioned by Trump, pointed to high-fructose corn syrup as a potential contributor to childhood obesity and other chronic illnesses. However, medical experts maintain that both cane sugar and corn syrup should be limited, as neither offers nutritional benefits.
The announcement sparked concern among corn industry representatives. John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, argued that replacing corn syrup with cane sugar would be economically harmful. “It would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and increase reliance on imported sugar—all without any nutritional advantage,” Bode stated.
Corn producers, predominantly based in the U.S. Midwest, hold significant political influence, while Florida—Trump’s home state—is the nation’s top sugarcane producer.
The MAHA Commission, which includes Kennedy, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and other cabinet members, has also backed state-level efforts to remove soda from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), further pressuring beverage companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.
The White House has not issued an official comment on the announcement.
