Donald Trump has said that Coca Cola will be changing its recipe in the U.S., declaring that it will be "better".
In a social media post on Wednesday, the President said he had been in talks with the beverage giant and that they “have agreed to do so.”
He described the decision as a “good move,” adding: “You’ll see. It’s just better.”
If true, the move would mark a significant shift in U.S. production. Coca-Cola switched from cane sugar to high fructose corn syrup in the 1980s, and that’s been the standard in American bottles ever since, per the Financial Times.
Sweeteners have long been a flashpoint. Most U.S. soft drinks, including Coca-Cola, are made with high-fructose corn syrup due to cost and agricultural subsidies.
However, cane sugar still stars in international versions of the drink - and fans of “Mexican Coke,” made with sugar and often imported for its cleaner taste, have long championed it as superior.
There’s also the cult-favorite Kosher for Passover Coke, easily spotted by its yellow caps, which is only available for a limited time each year and also made with cane sugar.
Both variations are prized for their ingredients, which many say deliver a smoother, more classic flavor.
The spotlight on Coca-Cola comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to crack down on highly processed food ingredients.
Just days before Trump’s soda reveal, the administration - along with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - announced that over 90% of ice cream brands in the U.S. had pledged to stop using certified artificial colors in their products.
But despite Trumps' high-profile announcement, Coca-Cola has not confirmed any such change.
Instead, the company issued a carefully worded response on X (formerly Twitter), replying to a Fox News report with: "All Coca-Cola brand products are wholesome beverages manufactured in compliance with the federal law."
While Trump touts cane sugar as “just better,” health experts have said otherwise.
Coca-Cola’s post included a detailed defense of its current formula, stating: "The name sounds complex, but high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) —which we use to sweeten some of our beverages—is actually just a sweetener made from corn. It's safe; it has about the same number of calories per serving as table sugar and is metabolized in a similar way by your body.
"The American Medical Association has confirmed that HFCS is no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar or other full-calorie sweeteners. Please be assured that Coca-Cola brand soft drinks do not contain any harmful substances.
"All Coca-Cola brand products are wholesome beverages manufactured in compliance with the federal law governing food safety and labeling, the laws of all the states, and the laws of over 200 countries throughout the world where they are sold."
Although Trump’s post implied a major shift was locked in, Coca-Cola’s official comments remain more vague.
A spokesperson told Newsweek: "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."