Latest news with #REALCaneSugar
AU Financial Review
5 days ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Coca-cola gets roped into making America healthy again
It was a social media moment that every US company dreads. Last week, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Coca-Cola had agreed to change the domestic formula of its namesake drink to feature 'REAL Cane Sugar' rather than high-fructose corn syrup. The company patently was not ready. Though it thanked the president for his 'enthusiasm', it also defended HFCS on social media as 'just a sweetener made from corn'. Six days later it finally confirmed it would launch a US cane sugar cola later in the year.
CNBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Coca-Cola will roll out cane sugar version of namesake soda in the U.S. this fall
Coca-Cola plans to introduce a version of its namesake cola made with cane sugar in the U.S. this fall, the company announced on Tuesday. Coke has used high-fructose corn syrup to sweeten its namesake soda in the U.S. since the 1980s, although it still uses cane sugar in other markets like Mexico. "Mexican Coke" has gained popularity in the U.S. over the last decade or so, as retailers like Costco and Target have stocked the drink, following the lead of bodegas and restaurants catering to Hispanic clientele. In a news release announcing its second-quarter earnings Tuesday, Coke said the new product offering is "designed to complement the company's strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences." The product announcement comes after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that he has been speaking with the company about using "REAL Cane Sugar" in its U.S. soda. Trump is a longtime fan of Diet Coke, which uses the artificial sweetener aspartame, and even has a button in the Oval Office to summon the drink. Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vocally opposed the use of high-fructose corn syrup, blaming it for obesity and chronic disease. Research does not suggest that cane sugar is a healthier option than high-fructose corn syrup. Longstanding tariff-rate quotas on sugar imported from other countries make the commodity a more expensive option than corn syrup, which is made in the U.S. and supported by government subsidies for corn farmers. Prior to Tuesday's announcement, Coke had been touting moves to cut back the amount of sugar in its portfolio — and customers are liking the switch. For example, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar has been one of the fastest-growing drinks for the company, with 9% volume growth last year. Rival PepsiCo has also been adding cane sugar back to its namesake cola. On Monday, the company announced the forthcoming launch of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, which includes three grams of fiber and five grams of cane sugar.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola defends corn syrup after Trump claims he struck cane sugar deal
The Coca-Cola company has defended its use of corn syrup after Donald Trump's claim Wednesday that he had apparently convinced the brand to switch to using sugar cane in its US drinks, as it does in Mexico and the UK. '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 said in a social media post late Tuesday. 'This will be a very good move by them – You'll see. It's just better!' Initially, the drinks giant responded with a neutral statement of appreciation for 'President Trump's enthusiasm' for Coke, and a vague message about 'new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range' to come. On Thursday, however, the soft drinks company released an additional statement making positive claims about high-fructose corn syrup, a product that some blame for soaring US obesity rates and which has become a target of health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's 'Make America healthy again' movement. '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,' Coca-Cola said in a statement. '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.' It added that the American Medical Association 'has confirmed that HFCS is no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar or other full-calorie sweeteners', and said: 'Please be assured that Coca-Cola brand soft drinks do not contain any harmful substances.' In 2023, the AMA released a statement saying it recognized 'that at the present time, insufficient evidence exists to specifically restrict use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or other fructose-containing sweeteners in the food supply or to require the use of warning labels on products containing HFCS'. Trump's rather abrupt entry into the Coca-Cola sugar debate comes as he struggles to move past a growing controversy over the release of files relating to the disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a one-time friend of Trump's. Related: Trump's effort to dismiss Epstein files as 'hoax' fails to quell Maga rebellion The president's high consumption of Diet Coke is well-documented, including the installation of a red 'Diet Coke button' near his desk that he can press in order to summon a staff member with the drink. Diet Coke contains neither corn syrup nor sugar cane, but aspartame, a low-calorie artificial sweetener. A switch by Coca-Cola to using sugar cane could trade implications for the $285bn US soft drinks market. Coca-Cola in Mexico is made with cane sugar and packaged in glass bottles. Some is imported into the US, where it sells unofficially as 'Mexican Coke' at a premium over its domestic counterpart. In the 1980s Coca-Cola's US arm changed its formulation to use high-fructose corn syrup, supported by US farming subsidies, and not imported sugar cane subjected to import tariffs. But turning back the clock could prove costly if Trump's high US tariffs on nations that produce sugar cane continue to apply. Trump had previously clashed with the company over voting access in Georgia, where the company is based. But ahead of his second inauguration as president in January of this year, the company's CEO, James Quincey, presented Trump with an inaugural Diet Coke bottle.
Courier-Mail
17-07-2025
- Health
- Courier-Mail
US politics live: Donald Trump's shock ‘chronic' health diagnosis
Welcome to our coverage of US politics. Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, the White House has revealed. It's a rare admission that the US President is fallible, with previous medical check-ups describing him as being in fine health. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump was suffering from a condition called chronic venous insufficiency in his legs. It means the veins in his legs can't regulate blood flow as efficiently as they should, potentially leading to swelling and infected ulcers that could become dangerous without prompt treatment. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY In Congress, Democrats scrutinising Mr Trump's former personal lawyer Emil Bove – who he wants to promote to a high-profile lifetime judicial position – walked out of the hearing in fury at the Republicans on the committee. They accused the GOP members of trying to rush the debate and refusing to allow a whistleblower who has made accusations about Mr Bove's character to testify. While Maurene Comey, the federal prosecutor and daughter of Trump critic James Comey, who was summarily sacked for no apparent reason by the White House, has broken her silence. Ms Comey was involved in the conviction of Jeffrey Epstein and his offsider Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as playing a major role in the recent Sean Combs trial. Read on for more updates. Originally published as US politics live: Donald Trump's shock 'chronic' health diagnosis White House reveals Trump's 'chronic' health condition Benedict Brook The White House has revealed that Donald Trump has a chronic health condition in his legs. It also provide more information on a condition with his hands which has seen them look discoloured. The diagnosis is something of a shock as the White House has otherwise published glowing medical reports on the US President's overall health. However, on Thursday, US time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump was overall in 'excellent health'. Ms Leavitt told reporters the US President was suffering from a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. More ⌄ 'It's safe': Coke scrambles after Trump post Benedict Brook Soft drink goliath Coca Cola is being coy – and issuing confusing statements – after Donald Trump announced a key sweetener would be removed from its drinks in the US in favour of sugar. It comes as a proposal is floated in Australia to more heavily tax drinks that contain sugar – with Coca Cola being a prime candidate. Picture: Charly Triballeau/AFP On Thursday, the US President said he had been 'speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States'. 'They have agreed to do so. 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!' More ⌄ Trump won't appoint special prosecutor in Epstein case Donald Trump 'would not recommend' a special prosecutor examine the Jeffrey Epstein case, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced, as controversy over the late pedophile continues to dog the administration. 'That's how he feels,' Ms Leavitt told reporters when asked about the possibility during her regular briefing. Calls have grown for the release of the full investigative file on Epstein – who died in his Manhattan prison cell in August 2019 – after the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI released a memo last week concluding the disgraced financier committed suicide – and did not keep a list of 'clients' to whom he trafficked underage teens for sex, contrary to widespread speculation. A photo of Jeffrey Epstein. Picture:North America/AFP Ms Leavitt stressed that the President would welcome additional releases of 'credible' information relating to the sex-trafficking case – but said that Trump believes the DOJ has done its job. More ⌄ 'Fear tool of tyrants': Blistering letter from lawyer sacked by Trump Benedict Brook The daughter of a critic of Donald Trump, who was sacked as a US government lawyer on Wednesday for no clear reason, has told her now former colleagues not to bow to 'fear' which is the 'tool of tyrants'. Maurene Comey has worked for the US Justice Department as an Assistant US Attorney for more than a decade and had worked on huge trials including the convictions of Jeffrey Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and the recent Sean 'Diddy' Combs proceedings. Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey. Picture: AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey Former FBI director James Comey, who has clashed with Mr Trump and gave evidence against him at his hush money trial last year, is her father. There have been calls for Ms Comey to be sacked by some MAGA commentators because of her father. More ⌄ Furious Democrats walk out of Congress AFP Emil Bove, US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, moved a step closer on Thursday to becoming a US federal appellate judge, after a fiery Senate committee meeting that featured a walkout by Democrats. The Republican-majority Senate Judiciary Committee voted along partisan lines to advance the nomination of the controversial Mr Bove for consideration by the full Senate. Mr Bove, 44, has been nominated by Mr Trump to a lifetime appointment on the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which covers the states of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Now US President Donald Trump in a New York courtroom in May last year with lawyer Emil Bove who he is now nominated to aplum judicial job despite multiple accusations against him. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) A former federal prosecutor and currently the third-ranking official in the Justice Department, Mr Bove has faced fierce criticism for his role in the Trump administration's divisive six months in power. More ⌄ Comedian roasts Trump over Epstein on stage Samuel Clench omedian Shane Gillis hosted the ESPY Awards today, which recognise excellence in sport, and as is tradition at these events, he did some roasting from the stage. Including one pointed joke aimed squarely at Donald Trump. Two jokes, actually, but one that felt particularly relevant. Here's the less relevant one first. 'Jon Jones and Nate Diaz are here,' said Mr Gillis, referring to a pair of UFC fighters. 'I actually had a couple drinks with those guys last night at the hotel, and it was terrifying. More ⌄ 'Must have the list': Elon Musk goes nuclear Samuel Clench Elon Musk continues to antagonise Donald Trump. You'll recall that, soon after leaving the Trump administration in June, Mr Musk sensationally claimed 'Donald Trump is in the Epstein files' and 'that is the real reason they have not been made public'. When the Department of Justice memo emerged saying there never was any Epstein 'client list', and the case was essentially closed, Mr Musk said it was 'the final straw'. Today he continued to sass Mr Trump by asking his AI tool, Grok, about elements of the Epstein case. More ⌄
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola says it appreciates Trump's 'enthusiasm' after president says company will use real sugar in drinks
Coca-Cola (KO) appears set to be the latest food and beverage company to make ingredient changes under the Trump administration. On Wednesday, President Trump took to social media, saying '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.' In a statement posted online, Coca-Cola said, '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 is set to report quarterly earnings on July 22. Shares of the company were little-changed early Thursday. Asked about "general health and wellness considerations" at a recent conference, Coke CFO John Murphy said, "It's one that we've wrestled with. We've at times embraced and at times, not done a great job, honestly, over our long history." Currency, Coca-Cola uses high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) — a cheaper alternative to sugar — to sweeten its soda. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo (PEP) are the largest buyers of the sugar replicant in the country, tying HFCS producers' fortunes closely to the two beverage makers' production lines. Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), one of the country's leading HFCS providers, fell more than 2.7% in pre-market trading. Shares in Ingredion (INGR), another leading corn syrup supplier, fell more than 5% early Thursday. The sugar market, on the other hand, has reacted positively to the pronouncement as it eyes what would likely be a major contract from the seller of the most popular soft drink in the world. The contract price on Sugar No. 11, the global benchmark futures contract for raw sugar trading, was up more than 1.3% on the news. The Teucrium Sugar Fund (CANE), a commodities-focused ETF that is intended to provide investors with exposure to sugar futures, was up more than 1% early Thursday. Seaboard Corporation (SEB) and Bunge Global SA (Q23.F), two of the country's major sugar importers and producers, remained relatively flat Thursday morning, up less than 1% and down less than 1%, respectively. The move from the Trump administration also comes as the president continues his tariff negotiations. Brazil, which produces a little less than a quarter the world's sugar cane, making it the top global producer, is currently facing a 50% tariff on goods from the country to the US starting in August. The US has not yet announced a tariff rate for India, the second largest producer. China, the third largest sugar producer, currently has a 30% tariff in place. Coca-Cola appears set to join a growing list of big food peers to announce ingredient changes, including Kraft Heinz (KHC), General Mills (GIS), and Nestlé USA, among others. On Thursday morning, Coca-Cola rival PepsiCo (PEP) was asked about cleaner ingredients on its quarterly earnings call. "We have road map to eliminate artificial colors and artificial flavors from our beverages the same as we do for our food business," CEO Ramon Laguarta said, "we'll be able to execute as the regulations evolve, or consumer preference evolve." PepsiCo stock was up as much as 5% after the company reported results that topped forecasts. Brooke DiPalma is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@ Jake Conley is a breaking news reporter covering US equities for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @byjakeconley or email him at 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
