Controversy Surrounding Coca-Cola's Cane-Sugar Version

## Overview Coca-Cola is one of the world’s most recognizable brands, synonymous with global beverage culture. The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a multinational corporation primarily engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates, syrups, and finished products, including its flagship Coca-Cola beverage[2][6]. The company operates in over 200 countries, offering a portfolio that extends beyond cola to include water, juices, sports drinks, teas, and energy drinks[6]. ## History Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by Dr. John Stith Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist who sought to create a distinctive-tasting soft drink[1][2][4]. Originally marketed as a medicinal tonic, the beverage debuted at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta, served as a syrup mixed with carbonated water[4][7]. Frank M. Robinson, Pemberton’s bookkeeper, coined the name “Coca-Cola” and designed its iconic script logo[1][2]. After Pemberton’s death in 1888, businessman Asa G. Candler acquired the company, aggressively expanding its distribution and pioneering innovative marketing tactics such as couponing and branded merchandise[1][5]. By 1895, Coca-Cola was sold across the United States, and in 1899, the first bottling agreements were established, enabling rapid global expansion[1][5]. ## Key Achievements Coca-Cola’s growth was fueled by strategic bottling partnerships, innovative advertising, and product diversification. The company’s advertising campaigns, celebrity endorsements, and global reach became hallmarks of its success[5]. Notable milestones include the introduction of Diet Coke in 1982, the brief but infamous launch of New Coke in 1985, and the acquisition of numerous beverage brands worldwide[6]. Coca-Cola was among the first to use recycled plastic in bottles and has consistently led industry sustainability initiatives[