Trump has stirred up new excitement for 'drinking Coke'—on the 16th local time, the former president announced on social media that he has reached an agreement with Coca-Cola, which will switch to using real cane sugar to produce Coke in the U.S. market, just like the formula that the Mexican version has always used.
"Thank you to the Coca-Cola executives, this move is spot on, you will see the results, this is better!" Trump wrote.
Currently, Coca-Cola in the U.S. market primarily uses high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, while the Mexican version, which uses cane sugar, is often considered by some consumers to have a 'more authentic flavor'. However, Coca-Cola has not clarified whether it will modify the existing formula or launch a new product line, only stating in a declaration that it 'will soon share details of product innovation'.
This 'sweetener replacement' has sparked controversy: John Bode, president of the Corn Processing Association, bluntly stated that this move is 'meaningless', believing it will lead to job losses in the U.S. food manufacturing industry and impact farm incomes; food scientists pointed out the flavor differences between the two sweeteners—high fructose corn syrup has a quick sweetness that can highlight fruit and spice flavors; cane sugar has a longer-lasting sweetness with different mouthfeel.
It is worth mentioning that Trump has long been known for his 'obsession' with Coke: previous foreign media reported that he is a fanatic of Diet Coke, even installing a 'Coke button' in the Oval Office to conveniently call staff to bring him chilled drinks. This push for a formula adjustment also adds a personal touch to this business decision.
How Coca-Cola will implement this plan—whether it will be a small-scale trial or a full replacement—remains to be seen. Will the change of sweeteners win market acceptance, and what impact will it have on the U.S. corn industry? Perhaps the answer will come when the company reveals its subsequent 'innovation details'.
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