In 1985, the Space Shuttle carried these modified soda cans for zero-gravity testing. Astronauts said both were too foamy to be tasty. Image: National Air and Space Museum
Q1. In late June, Texas passed a first-in-the-country law requiring warning labels starting in 2027 on certain food and beverage products, including some sodas, that contain specific additives or dyes.
The label says "WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom."
Some drinks like Mountain Dew, Gatorade, and Hawaiian Punch under current formulation would require labels, others such as Pepsi and Coke would not.
Do you think this law goes too far, doesn't go far enough, or is about right in terms of requiring labels on soda?
The label says "WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom."
Some drinks like Mountain Dew, Gatorade, and Hawaiian Punch under current formulation would require labels, others such as Pepsi and Coke would not.
Do you think this law goes too far, doesn't go far enough, or is about right in terms of requiring labels on soda?
(Image: Coke delivery truck, Knoxville, TN, 1909. Image via Coca Cola Co)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Goes too far
14%
19%
9%
17%
12%
11%
24%
6%
14%
14%
14%
About right
42%
43%
40%
48%
40%
36%
41%
31%
45%
50%
42%
Doesn't go far enough
33%
26%
39%
31%
36%
35%
19%
50%
31%
28%
33%
Not sure
7%
6%
8%
2%
6%
11%
16%
5%
6%
3%
7%
Don't care
5%
6%
4%
2%
6%
7%
0%
8%
4%
4%
5%
Q2. On Tuesday, the Coca-Cola Company said it will launch a version of Coke in the US made with cane sugar. President Trump had posted days earlier that he was speaking to Coke about using "REAL cane sugar."
Coke produced for the US market is typically sweetened with corn syrup, which is about 15% less expensive than cane sugar thanks to tariffs on imported sugar, domestic sugar production controls, and subsidies to US corn farmers.
Coke is made with cane sugar in some foreign markets where its price is competitive with high fructose corn syrup, including Mexico and certain European countries.
What is your view of Coke made with cane sugar?
Coke produced for the US market is typically sweetened with corn syrup, which is about 15% less expensive than cane sugar thanks to tariffs on imported sugar, domestic sugar production controls, and subsidies to US corn farmers.
Coke is made with cane sugar in some foreign markets where its price is competitive with high fructose corn syrup, including Mexico and certain European countries.
What is your view of Coke made with cane sugar?
(Image: Donald Trump, NYC, 2016. Getty // AFP)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Don't care
4%
4%
3%
2%
4%
5%
1%
4%
4%
5%
4%
Q3. Last week, Pepsi announced the launch of a prebiotic soda. Prebiotic drinks are promoted as healthy for the gut and better for consumers than traditional sodas.
The prebiotic soda market in the US is now $264m/yr and expected to double within 5 years. The US market for diet soda is $11b/yr, non-diet soda is $28b/yr.
What is your view on prebiotic sodas?
The prebiotic soda market in the US is now $264m/yr and expected to double within 5 years. The US market for diet soda is $11b/yr, non-diet soda is $28b/yr.
What is your view on prebiotic sodas?
(Image: Pepsi ad, Winston Salem Journal, 1922. Wikimedia)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Don't care
7%
8%
4%
6%
9%
7%
1%
9%
7%
9%
7%
High-fructose corn syrup and cane sugar are both about 50% fructose, 50% glucose, have the same number of calories, and identical metabolic effects, according to at least one doctor.
Coke considered most iconic US brand
31% don't drink soda, and another 41% don't think it taste different at different fast food outlets, but among those that think it does, McDonald's was the runaway winner.
62% wanted synthetic dyes banned from foods and drinks, 25% preferred a warning lable
Poll Comments (18)
