Latest news with #CocaColaCo
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Trump Says Coke Will Shift to Cane Sugar. But Increasingly, Shoppers Want No Sugar in Their Sodas
The debate over whether Coca-Cola should use high-fructose corn syrup or cane sugar in its signature soda obscures an important fact: Consumers are increasingly looking for Coke with no sugar at all. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, which was introduced in 2017, uses both the artificial sweetener aspartame and the natural sweetener stevia in its recipe. It's one of Coke's fastest-growing products, with global case volumes up 14 percent in the first quarter of the year. By comparison, the company's total case volumes were up 2 percent. PepsiCo also noted Thursday that 60 percent of its sales volumes in major markets in the second quarter came from low- or no-sugar drinks. 'When you look at colas, the percentage of growth coming from zero sugar is significant,' said Duane Stanford, the editor and publisher of Beverage Digest. Coca-Cola Co. hasn't confirmed a presidential pronouncement. The scrutiny over Coke's sweeteners began Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced that Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. had agreed to switch to using cane sugar in the regular version of its beverage manufactured in the US. '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 on his social media site. '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!' Coca-Cola didn't confirm the change. In a statement, the company said it appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and would share details on new offerings soon. Stanford said he doubts Coca-Cola will fully shift away from high fructose corn syrup, which has sweetened Coke in the US since the 1980s. 'There would be tremendous supply chain and logistics headaches,' he said, 'and the US doesn't make enough sugar for Coke's needs.' He expects the Atlanta-based company will offer a cane sugar-sweetened version in the US, just like its rival Pepsi has been doing since 2009. He noted that Coke has indulged US fans by importing Mexican Coke, which is made with cane sugar, since 2005. Coke positions Mexican Coke as an upscale alternative and sells it in glass bottles. A rush to defend high fructose corn syrup: The corn industry wasn't happy with the speculation. In a statement Wednesday, Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar 'makes no sense' and would cost thousands of American manufacturing jobs. Shares in ADM, a maker of high fructose corn syrup, dipped nearly 2 percent Thursday after Trump's announcement. In a message on X, Coca-Cola defended high fructose corn syrup, saying it's no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar or other full-calorie sweeteners. '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 company said. 'Please be assured that Coca-Cola brand soft drinks do not contain any harmful substances.' The Food and Drug Administration also says there is no evidence of any difference in safety among foods sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and those that sugar, honey, or other traditional sweeteners. US consumers are seeking more options: Soft drink preferences are highly subjective, as anyone who has been in a Pepsi vs. Coke or 7-Up vs. Sprite debate knows. But recent trends indicate that Coke and other drink makers need to focus on the kinds of low- and no-sugar drinks that a growing number of consumers are seeking, according to Stanford. He said his data shows original Coke was the top seller by volume in the US last year with 19 percent market share, while Coke Zero Sugar was seventh and had a 4 percent market share. But Coke Zero Sugar's share grew 10 percent, while original Coke's share was flat. Paige Leyden, the associate director of food service flavors and ingredients reports at the market research company Mintel, said drinks with a 'health halo,' like Olipop–which has 1 gram of sugars compared to original Coke's 65 grams–are also pressuring legacy soda makers. Mintel expects full-sugar sodas will see a 3.4 percent rise in US sales this year, while diet sodas will see 11.8 percent growth. Still, nutritionists suggest avoiding added sugars, no matter the form, since they provide empty calories with no nutrients. The 2020 US dietary guidelines advise people to limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars and say children under 2 should not be fed them at all. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, whose nutrition views often diverge from mainstream nutrition science, has spoken out against sugar. His agency is expected to release updated nutrition guidelines later this year. 'There's things we'll never be able to eliminate like sugar,' Kennedy said at an April news conference. 'And sugar is poison and Americans need to know that.' Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are also named as a concern in a government report Kennedy issued in May.
France 24
3 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Trump says Coca-Cola agreed to switch to real cane sugar in US
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the US at his suggestion — though the company didn't confirm such a move. Any switch from high-fructose corn syrup in Coke sold in the United States would put Coca-Cola more in line with its practice in other countries, including Mexico and Australia. But it wouldn't affect Trump's drink of choice, Diet Coke, which uses aspartame as a calorie-free beverage. '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 on his social media site. '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!' A spokesperson for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement that the company appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and promised that more details on new offerings within its products would be shared soon. Coca-Cola didn't elaborate. But the company has long indulged US fans of cane sugar by importing glass bottles of Mexican Coke to the US since 2005. Returning to sugar in US production, meanwhile, might affect the nation's corn farmers, whose yields are used in artificial sweeteners. 'Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense," Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said in a statement. "President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.' Trump himself is such a fan of Diet Coke that that he had a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office that he can press to have a White House butler bring one in for him. Despite his fondness for Diet Coke, his relationship with the company hasn't always been sweet. In a series of posts in 2012, Trump suggested diet soda might be connected to weight gain before eventually writing, 'The Coca Cola company is not happy with me — that's okay, I'll still keep drinking that garbage.' A bottle of Diet Coke could be seen sitting next to his chair years later, at a G20 summit in 2017. And The New York Times reported in 2018 that he was drinking a dozen Diet Cokes daily.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Trump says Coca-Cola will use real sugar in its U.S. flagship drink. The company isn't confirming that
Former President Donald Trump drinks a Diet Coke during the ProAm of the LIV Golf Team Championship at Trump National Doral Golf Club, Oct. 27, 2022, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) WASHINGTON — Make American Coke Great Again? U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the U.S. at his suggestion — though the company didn't confirm such a move. Any switch from high-fructose corn syrup in Coke sold in the United States would put Coca-Cola more in line with its practice in other countries, including Mexico and Australia. But it wouldn't affect Trump's drink of choice, Diet Coke, which uses aspartame as a calorie-free beverage. '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 on his social media site. '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!' A spokesperson for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement that the company appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and promised that more details on new offerings within its products would be shared soon. Coca-Cola didn't elaborate. But the company has long indulged U.S. fans of cane sugar by importing glass bottles of Mexican Coke to the U.S. since 2005. Returning to sugar in U.S. production, meanwhile, might affect the nation's corn farmers, whose yields are used in artificial sweeteners. 'Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense,' Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said in a statement. 'President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.' Trump himself is such a fan of Diet Coke that that he had a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office that he can press to have a White House butler bring one in for him. Despite his fondness for Diet Coke, his relationship with the company hasn't always been sweet. In a series of posts in 2012, Trump suggested diet soda might be connected to weight gain before eventually writing, 'The Coca Cola company is not happy with me — that's okay, I'll still keep drinking that garbage.' A bottle of Diet Coke could be seen sitting next to his chair years later, at a G20 summit in 2017. And The New York Times reported in 2018 that he was drinking a dozen Diet Cokes daily. __ Associated Press writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this story. Will Weissert, The Associated Press
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump says Coca-Cola will use real sugar in its US flagship drink. The company isn't confirming that
WASHINGTON (AP) — Make American Coke Great Again? President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the U.S. at his suggestion — though the company didn't confirm such a move. Any switch from high-fructose corn syrup in Coke sold in the United States would put Coca-Cola more in line with its practice in other countries, including Mexico and Australia. But it wouldn't affect Trump's drink of choice, Diet Coke, which uses aspartame as a calorie-free beverage. '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 on his social media site. '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!' A spokesperson for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement that the company appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and promised that more details on new offerings within its products would be shared soon. Coca-Cola didn't elaborate. But the company has long indulged U.S. fans of cane sugar by importing glass bottles of Mexican Coke to the U.S. since 2005. Returning to sugar in U.S. production, meanwhile, might affect the nation's corn farmers, whose yields are used in artificial sweeteners. 'Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense," Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said in a statement. "President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.' Trump himself is such a fan of Diet Coke that that he had a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office that he can press to have a White House butler bring one in for him. Despite his fondness for Diet Coke, his relationship with the company hasn't always been sweet. In a series of posts in 2012, Trump suggested diet soda might be connected to weight gain before eventually writing, 'The Coca Cola company is not happy with me — that's okay, I'll still keep drinking that garbage.' A bottle of Diet Coke could be seen sitting next to his chair years later, at a G20 summit in 2017. And The New York Times reported in 2018 that he was drinking a dozen Diet Cokes daily. __ Associated Press writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this story. Will Weissert, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Trump says Coca-Cola will use real sugar in its US flagship drink. The company isn't confirming that
WASHINGTON (AP) — Make American Coke Great Again? President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the U.S. at his suggestion — though the company didn't confirm such a move. Any switch from high-fructose corn syrup in Coke sold in the United States would put Coca-Cola more in line with its practice in other countries, including Mexico and Australia. But it wouldn't affect Trump's drink of choice, Diet Coke, which uses aspartame as a calorie-free beverage. '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 on his social media site. '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!' A spokesperson for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement that the company appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and promised that more details on new offerings within its products would be shared soon. Coca-Cola didn't elaborate. But the company has long indulged U.S. fans of cane sugar by importing glass bottles of Mexican Coke to the U.S. since 2005. Returning to sugar in U.S. production, meanwhile, might affect the nation's corn farmers, whose yields are used in artificial sweeteners. 'Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense,' Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode said in a statement. 'President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.' Trump himself is such a fan of Diet Coke that that he had a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office that he can press to have a White House butler bring one in for him. Despite his fondness for Diet Coke, his relationship with the company hasn't always been sweet. In a series of posts in 2012, Trump suggested diet soda might be connected to weight gain before eventually writing, 'The Coca Cola company is not happy with me — that's okay, I'll still keep drinking that garbage.' A bottle of Diet Coke could be seen sitting next to his chair years later, at a G20 summit in 2017. And The New York Times reported in 2018 that he was drinking a dozen Diet Cokes daily. __ Associated Press writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this story.
