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The Star
2 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Melaka Health Dept drafting proposal to ban vape manufacture and sale
MELAKA: The Melaka Health Department is preparing a proposal to ban the manufacturing and sale of e-cigarettes or vape products in the state. State health, human resources and unity committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said the proposal will be presented to the state executive council for a decision later this year. "At this stage, the state government has yet to take a position on whether to support or reject the ban, as the matter is still under review,' he said during the Melaka legislative assembly sitting at Seri Negeri on Wednesday (July 23). Low Chee Leong (PH-Kota Laksamana) wanted to know the state government's stance on the sale of e-cigarettes. Ngwe explained that while e-cigarettes are often seen as a safer alternative to conventional smoking, their nicotine content still poses addiction risks and health hazards, and they are by no means a hundred percent safe. He said vape liquids contain various harmful heavy metals, such as nickel, chromium and arsenic, which are all classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and known to cause cancer. "They also contain cobalt, which is toxic to the lungs, and cadmium, which can damage the kidneys and is also linked to cancer. "Even more concerning, these heavy metals have been associated with mental health issues, including depression,' he said. – Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!


Int'l Business Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Coca-Cola Plans US Cane Sugar Alternative After Trump Push
Coca-Cola on Tuesday said it would release a version of Coke in the United States made with US-grown real cane sugar, a move requested by President Donald Trump. "We're going to be bringing a Coke sweetened with US cane sugar into the market this fall, and I think that will be an enduring option for consumers," said CEO James Quincey on a call with analysts. The company currently uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for many of its US products -- a sweetener that has long drawn criticism from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. Trump last week said that the company had agreed to use cane sugar in the United States version of Coke. "This will be a very good move by them -- You'll see. It's just better!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. Coca-Cola at the time did not confirm the move even if it said it appreciated Trump's "enthusiasm" for its brand. In announcing the new option, Quincey insisted that the main Coke product would still be made with corn syrup, with the cane sugar version offered as an alternative. Mexican Coke -- which is made with cane sugar -- is often sold at a premium in US stores and prized for its more "natural" flavor. The US president did not explain what motivated his push for the change, which would not impact his well-known favorite beverage, Diet Coke. Since his return to the White House, Trump has reinstalled a special button in the Oval Office that summons a helping of the sugar-free carbonated drink. HFCS became popular in the 1970s, with its use skyrocketing thanks to government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar. Any shift away from corn is likely to draw backlash in the Corn Belt, a Midwestern region that has been a stronghold of support for Trump. Both HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) are composed of fructose and glucose, but differ at the structural level. Those differences don't appear to significantly affect health outcomes, according to research. Trump's preferred Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame -- a compound classified as a "possible carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).


The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Thanks to Donald Trump Coca-Cola won't taste the same
Beverage giant Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its US production, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday on social media. The company currently uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its domestic beverages – a sweetener that has long drawn criticism from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again movement. '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 Truth Social platform. '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!' The US president did not explain what motivated his push for the change, which would not impact his well-known favourite beverage, Diet Coke. Since his return to the White House, Trump has re-installed a special button in the Oval Office which summons a helping of the sugar-free carbonated drink. Coca-Cola did not immediately confirm the ingredient shift. '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,' the company said in a short statement. HFCS became popular in the 1970s, with its use skyrocketing thanks to government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar. Any shift away from corn is likely to draw backlash in the Corn Belt, a Midwestern region that has been a stronghold of support for Trump. Both HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) are composed of fructose and glucose. However, they differ structurally: HFCS contains free (unbonded) fructose and glucose in varying ratios – 55/45 in soft drinks – while sucrose consists of the two sugars chemically bonded together. These structural differences, however, don't appear to significantly affect health outcomes. A 2022 review of clinical studies found no meaningful differences between HFCS and sucrose in terms of weight gain or heart health. The only notable distinction was an increase in a marker of inflammation in people consuming HFCS. Overall, both sweeteners appear similarly impactful when consumed at equal calorie levels. Despite this, Mexican Coke – which is made with cane sugar – is often sold at a premium in US stores and prized for its more 'natural' flavour. Trump's prized Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame – a compound classified as a 'possible carcinogen' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Trump says Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar in US
Beverage giant Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its US production, President Donald Trump announced on social media. The company currently uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its domestic beverages - a sweetener that has long drawn criticism from Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and his Make America Healthy Again movement. "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," Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "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," he added. The US president did not explain what motivated his push for the change, which would not impact his well-known favourite beverage, Diet Coke. Since his return to the White House, Mr Trump has re-installed a special button in the Oval Office which summons a helping of the sugar-free carbonated drink. Coca-Cola did not immediately confirm the ingredient shift. "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," the company said in a short statement. HFCS became popular in the 1970s, with its use skyrocketing thanks to government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar. Any shift away from corn is likely to draw backlash in the Corn Belt, a Midwestern region that has been a stronghold of support for Mr Trump. Both HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) are composed of fructose and glucose. However, they differ structurally: HFCS contains free (unbonded) fructose and glucose in varying ratios - 55/45 in soft drinks - while sucrose consists of the two sugars chemically bonded together. These structural differences, however, do not appear to significantly affect health outcomes. A 2022 review of clinical studies found no meaningful differences between HFCS and sucrose in terms of weight gain or heart health. The only notable distinction was an increase in a marker of inflammation in people consuming HFCS. Overall, both sweeteners appear similarly impactful when consumed at equal calorie levels. Despite this, Mexican Coke - which is made with cane sugar - is often sold at a premium in US supermarkets and prized for its more "natural" flavour. Mr Trump's prized Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame - a compound classified as a "possible carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).


The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Trump says Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar in US
WASHINGTON: Beverage giant Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its US production, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday on social media. The company currently uses high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its domestic beverages -- a sweetener that has long drawn criticism from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again movement. '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 Truth Social platform. '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!' The US president did not explain what motivated his push for the change, which would not impact his well-known favorite beverage, Diet Coke. Since his return to the White House, Trump has re-installed a special button in the Oval Office which summons a helping of the sugar-free carbonated drink. Coca-Cola did not immediately confirm the ingredient shift. '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,' the company said in a short statement. HFCS became popular in the 1970s, with its use skyrocketing thanks to government subsidies for corn growers and high import tariffs on cane sugar. Any shift away from corn is likely to draw backlash in the Corn Belt, a Midwestern region that has been a stronghold of support for Trump. Both HFCS and sucrose (cane sugar) are composed of fructose and glucose. However, they differ structurally: HFCS contains free (unbonded) fructose and glucose in varying ratios -- 55/45 in soft drinks -- while sucrose consists of the two sugars chemically bonded together. These structural differences, however, don't appear to significantly affect health outcomes. A 2022 review of clinical studies found no meaningful differences between HFCS and sucrose in terms of weight gain or heart health. The only notable distinction was an increase in a marker of inflammation in people consuming HFCS. Overall, both sweeteners appear similarly impactful when consumed at equal calorie levels. Despite this, Mexican Coke -- which is made with cane sugar -- is often sold at a premium in US stores and prized for its more 'natural' flavor. Trump's prized Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame -- a compound classified as a 'possible carcinogen' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - AFP