The Coca-Cola Company today announced a reformulation of its flagship Coca-Cola Classic for the U.S. market, reducing total sugar content by 30% while maintaining the brand's signature taste profile. The reformulated product begins shipping to retailers in July 2026. ## Inside the rollout The change is the most significant recipe modification to Coca-Cola Classic in over a decade and follows similar moves in the U.K. and France in response to regulatory and consumer pressure on sugar consumption. The new formulation uses a proprietary blend of cane sugar and stevia-derived sweeteners. "Our consumers are clear: they want the Coca-Cola taste they grew up with, with less sugar," said Selman Careaga, President of the North America Operating Unit. "After three years of formulation work and consumer testing, we believe we've delivered exactly that." ## Why it matters For industry operators, this is another data point in the structural change reshaping the markets sector. Watch for follow-on moves from competitors and reactions from key channel partners in the coming quarters. The company said the reformulation is part of a broader strategy to reduce added sugars across its global portfolio by 25% by 2030. For more industry intelligence built for operators, explore [Food & Beverage Magazine's coverage](/markets) and [our latest industry analysis](/markets/industry-trends). Have a take on this story? Drop a comment below — we want to hear how it's playing out in your operation. Written by Michael Politz, Author of [Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1)](https://www.amazon.com/Beverage-Magazines-Guide-Restaurant-Success/dp/1119668964), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.