MP: Coke was actually slow to jump on the diet drink bandwagon and introduced Tab after Diet Rite Cola was already on the market. The banning of cyclamate [a popular artificial sweetener used in early diet soft drinks] over 40 years ago was a setback. Since then, there has been a search by Coke and other soft drink makers for acceptable, natural low-calorie sweeteners. Stevia, a natural low-cal sweetener, unfortunately has a bad aftertaste.
MR: Coke is now made with high fructose corn syrup which has gotten a lot of bad press over possible health side effects. People also charge that it doesn't taste as good as sugar.
MP: High fructose corn syrup replaced sugar because of protective tariffs on American sugar, making HFCS cheaper in the USA. In my opinion, it does not taste as good as sugar, though I don't think there is much evidence it does the harm it is sometimes linked to.
MR: After removing the cocaine and reducing medicinal claims, navigating the obesity epidemic and the New Coke disaster of 1985, which you say was Coke's biggest mistake, where does the company go now?
MP: Diversification. Since debuting Coke Zero and purchasing Vitaminwater, Coke is continuing to expand its line. Globally, it offers 3,500 types of drinks with 500 brands."
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