Coca-Cola is officially adding a cane sugar version of its iconic soda to the U.S. market — but fans of the original Coke can rest easy: the classic high-fructose corn syrup formula isn’t going anywhere.
The announcement came just days after former President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that he had convinced the beverage giant to swap out corn syrup for “real cane sugar.” While the company is indeed rolling out a new cane sugar Coke, it emphasized that the drink will be a separate addition, not a replacement.
“As part of its ongoing innovation agenda, this fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range,” Coca-Cola said in its Q2 earnings report on July 22.
A spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the new formula is meant to broaden consumer choices — not to phase out the existing recipe.
Trump had previously written, “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. This will be a very good move by them — you’ll see. It’s just better!”
In a response to earlier speculation, the company told PEOPLE it “appreciates President Trump’s enthusiasm,” while remaining vague about product plans until Tuesday’s formal confirmation.
Though new to most U.S. shelves, cane sugar Coke — often called “Mexican Coke” — has long been available in glass bottles imported from Mexico. The brand switched from cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup in the U.S. in the mid-1980s due to rising sugar prices.
The move has already drawn pushback from corn industry leaders. Corn Refiners Association CEO John Bode criticized the shift in a July 16 statement, warning, “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense. It would cost U.S. manufacturing jobs, depress farm incomes, and increase imports — all with no nutritional benefit.”
Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has supported reducing additives like corn syrup through his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which aims to ban HFCS and seed oils from U.S. foods.
Trump himself is known for his preference for Diet Coke, which is sweetened with aspartame. Still, the cane sugar announcement adds another layer to his ongoing culture-war branding — and a new option for Coke fans this fall.
