Coca-Cola to Launch Mini Cans and Cane Sugar Sweetened Drinks in the U.S.

Coca-Cola is set to roll out mini 7.5-ounce single serve cans of its popular soft drinks across U.S. convenience stores early next year. The company hopes the compact, lower priced cans will appeal to consumers seeking both affordability and reduced calorie intake. Joel Bishop, President of Commercial Leadership for Coca-Cola’s North American unit, explained that the move is designed to attract new customers. “Affordability and recruitment are what we’re trying to do,” he said, adding that there are few beverage options priced under $2 in the market. Each mini can, priced at a suggested $1.29, contains 90 calories significantly fewer than the 240 calories in a standard 20-ounce plastic bottle, Coca-Cola’s most popular size in convenience stores.

Expanded Product Range in Mini Format

The mini cans will feature several Coca-Cola beverages, including Coke Zero Sugar, Cherry Coke, Sprite, and Fanta. Diet Coke will also be available in selected regions where it enjoys strong demand. While small multi can packs are already sold in supermarkets and wholesale stores such as Costco and Kroger, this is Coca-Cola’s first major push to make single mini cans widely available in convenience outlets.

Return of Cane Sugar Formulation

In addition to the new packaging, Coca-Cola plans to reintroduce glass bottles of Coca-Cola soda sweetened with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup later this year. This version, long favored by fans of “Mexican Coke,” is being launched in response to growing consumer preference for what is perceived as a more natural sweetener. President Donald Trump had previously announced the company’s plan to launch the cane sugar-sweetened variant, which Bishop later confirmed.

Changing Consumer Behavior and Market Challenges

Coca-Cola’s soda sales in the U.S. have faced fluctuations in recent years, with growth driven more by price hikes than by increased consumption. The company has also been affected by reduced spending among Hispanic consumers, a key market segment. The introduction of smaller cans and cane sugar formulations reflects Coca-Cola’s strategy to adapt to shifting consumer habits, including demand for portion control, affordability, and natural ingredients.

Debate Over Sweeteners and Health Impact

Public interest in cane sugar versions of Coca-Cola has been bolstered by health debates surrounding high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently suggested that HFCS contributes to chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. However, medical experts generally advise limiting all forms of added sugar, noting that there is little evidence to suggest significant health differences between cane sugar and HFCS.

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