Coca-Cola Just Made a Huge Announcement About Its Signature Cola

Coca-Cola is arguably as American as apple pie. The soda has been around since 1886—its flavor and formula unchanged for over 100 years. In fact, when the brand did try to change Coca-Cola in the 1980s, fans revolted against the “New Coke,” creating a counter-campaign that turned the relaunch into a PR disaster and eventually prompted the company to return to its original formula, or “Coca-Cola Classic.” However, one change from “New Coke” stuck around: the switch from real cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup.

Now, Coca-Cola is back in the news this week after rumors of a recipe change swirled, originating from an unlikely source.

Is Coca-Cola Switching Back to Cane Sugar in the U.S.?

Rumors have been swirling that for the first time in over 40 years, Coca-Cola may be switching from using high-fructose corn syrup in its soda back to real cane sugar.

It started on July 16, when President Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social, writing, “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.”

On July 22, the company quietly confirmed that a cane sugar Coca-Cola is indeed launching in the U.S. soon. In its second quarter earnings report, the company shared, “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 has been made with high-fructose corn syrup in the U.S. since the early ’80s, with the change fully cemented by 1984 (though it happened quietly, technically launching a year before “New Coke” debuted). The company made the switch because sugar prices were on the rise and corn syrup was cheaper, as it was subsidized by the U.S. government (though some claim there were other reasons behind the change). Cost likely remains a driving factor to this day.

The call for the switch is part of a larger movement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remove food additives and controversial ingredients from the U.S. food system. Recently, several large companies, including Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, and Hershey’s, have pledged to remove additives like artificial colors from their products.

Will Cane Sugar Coke Replace Coca-Cola?

The new cane sugar cola will not be replacing its classic Coke, a Coca-Cola spokesperson confirmed to Allrecipes’ sister brand, People. “This addition is designed to complement the company’s strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences,” they added.

The brand has yet to confirm if it will launch cane sugar versions of its other soft drink offerings, which include Fanta, Sprite, Simply, and more.

Coca-Cola hasn’t said exactly when we can expect to see the new cane sugar soda in stores, other than this fall, but in the meantime, you can actually already buy Coke made with real cane sugar in the U.S.

Seasonally, Coca-Cola made with cane sugar pops up in grocery stores—denoted by its yellow cap—which is designated for Jewish people observing Passover. But year-round, American consumers can shop and sip Mexican Coke, or Coca-Cola de México, which is made with real sugar and imported widely throughout the States. Other countries, including Australia, also still manufacture Coca-Cola with cane sugar, though they’re harder to find stateside.