Coca-Cola is an American icon known worldwide. For more than a century, its formula has remained virtually unchanged, except for a failed attempt to change it in the 1980s. However, this week it has surprised with news that has caused a lot of anticipation.
After decades of using high-fructose corn syrup, Coca-Cola has confirmed that it will launch a version of its soda made with cane sugar in the United States. This change, quietly announced in its second-quarter financial report, will hit the market this fall, marking a major shift in its recipe.
The return of cane sugar to Coca-Cola
Since the early 1980s, Coca-Cola in the United States has been made mainly with high-fructose corn syrup. This modification was partly due to the fact that sugar was more expensive, while corn syrup was subsidized by the government, which reduced costs. However, this decision was never well received by everyone, and some consumers have always preferred the original formula.
The confirmation that Coca-Cola will launch a beverage with cane sugar comes after a message from President Donald Trump. On his Truth Social account he wrote: "I've been talking to Coca-Cola about using REAL cane sugar in Coca-Cola in the United States, and they've agreed to do it." The company has explained that this product will not replace the classic, but will be added to the range to offer more options to consumers.
In addition, this move is part of a broader trend in the United States food industry to reduce artificial ingredients and controversial additives. Companies like Nestlé and Kraft Heinz are also taking similar steps in their products, according to All Recipes.
What does this change mean for the market?
The launch of Coca-Cola with cane sugar represents a clear bet to attract an audience seeking more natural and less processed options. Although the product doesn't yet have an exact release date, it is expected to be available this fall. In the United States, it has already been possible to find Coca-Cola with cane sugar in a limited way at certain times of the year, especially during Jewish Passover, under an edition with a yellow cap.
It is also common for consumers to buy the so-called "Mexican Coke," the version imported from Mexico that is made with cane sugar. Other countries like Australia also produce Coca-Cola with sugar, but in the United States availability is more limited.
For now, the company has not announced whether it will extend this new formula to other sodas in its catalog, such as Fanta or Sprite. Ultimately, this news confirms that Coca-Cola is seeking to adapt to new trends and demands in the American market, betting on more traditional ingredients to keep its position as a world leader.