U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expresses support for President Trump's claim that Coca-Cola may switch to cane sugar in its U.S. products. Credit: The New York Times
(The Post News)- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voiced his approval for President Donald Trump’s claim that Coca-Cola plans to sweeten its signature soda in the United States with real cane sugar. In a statement released on Friday, July 18, 2025, Kennedy Jr. welcomed the potential move, emphasizing that “Americans deserve access to the same natural foods that other countries enjoy.”
This stance aligns with Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, which has long advocated for reducing the use of high-fructose corn syrup in U.S. products. The MAHA Commission’s report in May 2025 highlighted the potential link between high-fructose corn syrup consumption and increased risk of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Kennedy Jr.’s efforts also focus on eliminating artificial food dyes and reducing overall sugar levels in food products. New dietary guidelines, expected to be released later in 2025, will likely recommend a greater emphasis on whole foods and reduced added sugars.
However, the idea of replacing high-fructose corn syrup faces opposition. John Bode, CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, warned that such a change “would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.” Coca-Cola itself has described high-fructose corn syrup as a safe, corn-derived sweetener with similar calories and metabolism to table sugar.
Coca-Cola currently uses cane sugar in its beverages sold in countries like Mexico and Australia. Despite President Trump’s assertion, the company has not confirmed any change to its U.S. recipe, referring to previous statements instead. As the debate continues, Kennedy Jr.’s advocacy for healthier food choices and reduced high-fructose corn syrup consumption is likely to remain a prominent issue.
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