Fact check: There is still cocaine in coca cola

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

Modern Coca-Cola does not contain any cocaine. While the original 1886 formula did contain cocaine, by 1903 most was removed, and by 1929 all psychoactive elements were completely eliminated. Today, Coca-Cola uses de-cocainized coca leaf extract for flavoring, processed under strict DEA oversight by Stepan Chemical Company in New Jersey.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

The original statement omits several crucial facts:

• Coca-Cola maintains a unique relationship with coca leaves through a special DEA permit
• The Stepan Company processes approximately 100 metric tons of coca leaves annually
• The extracted cocaine isn't wasted - it's sold to Mallinckrodt Corporation for medical anesthesia
• During the 1800s, cocaine was legally used in many medicines, making Coca-Cola's original formula typical for its time
• The company continued using trace amounts of coca leaves to maintain their trademark rights

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The statement plays into a common conspiracy theory that benefits:

• Competitors in the beverage industry who might gain from public distrust in Coca-Cola
• Social media content creators who generate engagement through sensationalized claims about major corporations
• Anti-corporate activists who use historical facts out of context to criticize modern companies

The statement fails to acknowledge the strict regulatory oversight by the DEA and the fundamental difference between coca leaf extract (legal, non-narcotic) and cocaine (controlled substance).