Coke is no longer "Classic"
Filed under: Food
After nearly 25 years, the nightmare of "New Coke" may finally be over.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Coca-Cola "has quietly removed the word (classic) from the label of a new 16-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola that is being sold in some southeastern U.S. markets, as part of a broader plan to refresh the brand's image, according to a report in industry publication Beverage Digest."
Taking the "Classic" out of "Classic Coke" is supposed to make the sugary water more appealing to young people. Exactly why and how that is supposed to happen is anybody's guess. The truth is that people of all ages drink soda, but their numbers are dwindling. That's why companies such as Coke are making a big push into non-carbonated beverages.
Can you imagine the meetings that occurred at Coke's Atlanta headquarters before this momentous decision was made? I am sure there were many sleepless nights in the marketing department. They had to ask themselves, do they want people to remember how Coke changed its formula in 1985 and was forced by outraged consumers to change it back? The new "old" Coke was given the name "Classic" to distinguish itself from the attempted change no one liked.
About the only thing "classic" about the soda was the lesson it taught business school students that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Taking the "Classic" out of "Classic Coke" is supposed to make the sugary water more appealing to young people. Exactly why and how that is supposed to happen is anybody's guess. The truth is that people of all ages drink soda, but their numbers are dwindling. That's why companies such as Coke are making a big push into non-carbonated beverages.
Can you imagine the meetings that occurred at Coke's Atlanta headquarters before this momentous decision was made? I am sure there were many sleepless nights in the marketing department. They had to ask themselves, do they want people to remember how Coke changed its formula in 1985 and was forced by outraged consumers to change it back? The new "old" Coke was given the name "Classic" to distinguish itself from the attempted change no one liked.
About the only thing "classic" about the soda was the lesson it taught business school students that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
1-30-2009 @ 1:18PM
sus said...
Check your facts. Coke had to change its formula because its patent ran out. Before that happened they changed the formula to keep the original one a secret. They then brought out coke classic with a new patent.
Reply
1-30-2009 @ 2:24PM
chazz said...
I still remember the taste of coke when I was a young guy. I always wondered why they changed the formula/taste. I also remember the local rep who tried to tell me that nothing had changed and the different taste had more to do with my taste buds and my age than their product. The original was the best. Bring it back and I will drop Pepsi like a rock.
1-30-2009 @ 2:30PM
TJ said...
yo chazz. if u paid any attention, classic is the original. way to go. plus pepsi is better anyway.
1-31-2009 @ 12:43PM
SUZI said...
I have been a coke fan, for 30 years now.
Has anyone noticed the change in the taste, when they switched to the "refridge cartons" ???
1-31-2009 @ 1:52PM
Sonney Dey said...
UK people say Coke is still made with the original corn syrup formula over there and it's GREAT.
Here in America we get the synthetic sugar kind of Coke and it's not as good, period.
1-31-2009 @ 8:59PM
George said...
Sorry Sus, you are completely wrong. The formula change had NOTHING to do with patents, especially since the Coca-Cola formula ISN'T patented now nor has it ever been. When you receive a patent you have to unveil the ingredients... the Coke formula has never been unveiled outside the select few at the company.
2-01-2009 @ 1:12PM
Bob said...
sus, sorry you are wrong! coke changed the formula to be more competitive with Pepsi. During that time Pepsi was the number 1 Soft Drink.
2-01-2009 @ 2:34AM
John said...
Coke changed its formula because of the Pepsi Challenge. The "new Coke" that came out in 1985 (promoted by spokesman Bill Cosby) had a similar taste to rival Pepsi.
2-02-2009 @ 10:42AM
Nova-Osiris said...
Search your shit correctly.
They said that to save their asses from the public.
All company's fuck up at some point and then have to come up with a story that will save them.
Also, you don't know anything about patents.
You can have secret ingredients. Many candy companies have secret recipes that that don't have to put out there as long as the public aren't allergic to the general ingredients used.
P.S. Next time keep your mouth shut unless you actually KNOW what you are talking about.
1-30-2009 @ 2:45PM
PIM said...
facts are the classic wasn't really the classic, the sugar was replaced with corn syrup.....high fructose corn syrup........
that is why people are not buying it, it taste like crap......Jones Soda made with real sugar cane taste better and is not as addictive, one 8 ounce bottle is more than one person can drink ..try it you will see, drink less, and a better flavor..........
Reply
1-30-2009 @ 2:27PM
gussie95 said...
Friggin Communists!!!
Friggin Socialists!!!
Nurse Ratchett!!!
Reply
1-30-2009 @ 2:34PM
gardinermob said...
High fructose corn syrup is the bane of todays sodas. I'm willing to pay more for a cane sugar sweetened product. Y'all listening ?
Reply
1-30-2009 @ 4:23PM
jen said...
AMEN! I buy coke from mexican restaurants that get it from mexico because it has real sugar not corn syrup
what a difference! it's the only real coke
and I'm a coke addict!! they would sell so much more if they would just give us what we want-I wouldn't be able to control myself
I'd go broke buying coke!
1-31-2009 @ 10:42AM
Jeff said...
If you want a real sugar sweetened cola with the best taste ever, look for Boylan's sugar cane cola. It comes from Jersey and is available at selected liquor distributors.
1-31-2009 @ 11:16AM
Pam4ski said...
And now in 2009 it is reported that corn syrup has mercury in it! I was floored to read that my ketchup, yogurt,raisin bread, triscuits, bologna, all have very high levels of corn syrup in them. Sheesh, last year I banned high sodium ingredients for our four year old and now this! We should force the FDA to simply lable food SAFE for under the age of 12 consumption and be done with it! Stop the nitrites, nitrates, sodiums, mercury, and ALL other harmful ingredients. Listen up greedy food industry, you are killing us for your profits!
1-31-2009 @ 11:29AM
a.e. said...
The nasty stuff they call 'classic coke' is a joke.
The real classic coke has been reformulated with high-fructose corn syrup instead of cane sugar. It literally makes me feel sick.
What about truth in advertising? There are other 'staple products' such as Hellman's mayonnaise that are getting away with the same deception.
I definitely would pay more to have the real classic recipes! Alas, the consumer is not even given that option.
2-02-2009 @ 12:08PM
BillG said...
Jones sodas are amade with cane sugar and are really yummy. FYI.
1-30-2009 @ 2:41PM
C TRETTEL said...
david butler and his so called team are the classic example of stretching their job to fit the time, they are so self important. keep it up you will eventuntalyr ruin coke altogether
Reply
2-01-2009 @ 12:21AM
George said...
I agree With C trettel, For the past year or more the "design" team at coke has been continually been changing designs on coke products. I am surprised no one has screamed "discrimintion" with the new one on 12 pack fridge packs. Whites on one side blacks with no dads on the other??? You tell ME why big companies are going down when they waste this kind of money......
1-31-2009 @ 5:43AM
Chris said...
Yep. High Fructose Corn Syrup is the culprit. I'm righ tthere with gardinermob. Put cane sugar back in coke and you'll notice an immediate difference.
Don't believe me? Buy a coke in Europe or Mexico, or a "Passover" version (all made without HFCS) and you'll find yourself tasting "Classic" coke the likes of which you've most likely not tasted in quite some time.
Reply