Nutrition leaders argue that Coca-Cola’s decision to launch a U.S. product made with cane sugar won’t make America healthier. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may be correct that high-fructose corn syrup is a driver of obesity and other chronic diseases, but alternatives like sugar cane and beet sugar also lead to weight gain and bad outcomes. Marion Nestle, professor emeritus of nutrition and public health at New York University, said that substituting cane sugar for high fructose corn syrup is more like a cosmetic change than a significant change in the dietary intake of Americans.
The food industry has made other moves to align itself with MAHA’s agenda, such as the Consumer Brands Association encouraging members to stop making products with artificial dyes by the end of 2027, the dairy industry committing to eliminating artificial dyes from ice creams, and fast-food chain Steak ‘n Shake cooking its french fries in beef tallow instead of seed oils. Scientific reviews show that ultra-processed foods can contribute to the development of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Nestle added that cutting back the sodium content in foods, reducing intake of ultra-processed foods, and making fresh produce more affordable are interventions that could actually improve population health. Kennedy has championed state efforts to restrict SNAP benefits from being used to purchase soda, and Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey has told investors that the company is making progress on reducing sugar in its beverages by changing recipes and using global marketing and distribution resources.
