The history of Coca Cola, where it was banned and why? - Travel Tomorrow (2024)

The iconic red and white label of the renowned fizzy drink is recognised throughout the world. Coca-Cola, the long reigning champion of the world’s most popular soft drink, which over the decades has gradually conquered the entire planet. A symbol of enjoyment, freedom, of North American culture, and at times even of political ideologies. However the drink has an interesting history, let’s take a look.

1. The history behind the drink

Coca-cola was first introduced in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, by pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton. Dr. Pemberton produced the original recipe for the syrup, which is said to have contained alcohol, selling it as a medicine thought to cure headaches, heartburn, and nausea. The syrup was put on sale at Jacobs’ Pharmacy for five cents a glass as a soda fountain drink, as well as a medicine. Carbonated water was then added to the syrup to produce a cool drink, and the product was named by Dr. Pemberton’s partner and bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson. Robinson suggested the name Coca-Cola as he thought the double C would look good in advertising, and it was him who first wrote the now famous trademark “Coca-Cola” in his unique script. During the first year, sales averaged a modest nine drinks per day.

The history of Coca Cola, where it was banned and why? - Travel Tomorrow (1)

Another reason for the name came form the ingredients of the recipe itself, which containedcocainein the form of an extract of the coca leaf, the “Coca” part of the beverage’s name, whilst “Cola” came from the kola nut, which contains caffeine, another stimulant. At the time cocaine was legal and a common ingredient in medicines as it was thought to be safe to use in small amounts. Over time the amount of cocaine in the recipe was reduced and finally eliminated in 1929. This was during the Prohibition Era in the United States, when alcohol was illegal, and co*ke soon became popular as a “soft” drink, an alternative to hard alcohol.

Dr. Pemberton gradually sold off portions of his business to various partners, and just before his death in 1888 he sold his last share to Asa G. Candler. Mr. Candler, an Atlantan businessman, proceeded to buy additional rights and acquire complete control, including rights to the formula. The Coca Cola Company was incorporated in 1892, and continued to increase in size, eventually taking in other beverages like Sprite, Fanta, and Schweppes, although co*ke has always remained the favourite.

2. Expanding worldwide

After 1923 Robert W. Woodruff continued to expand the Coca-Cola Company, and “six-packs” began to be distributed and sold. In 1928 Coca-Cola sponsored theOlympic Games which took sales to a new level and was boosted further by World War II, which saw US soldiers increase demand for the soda. From the 1940s to the 1960s more and more bottling plants were built, enabling the Coca Cola company to build its foundation for worldwide sales.

In the 1980s Coca Cola became Coca‑Cola Enterprises Inc., a public company, and when soon after this Diet co*ke was introduced, it became the best-selling low-calorie soft drink in the world. Four years after this, the soda’s formula was changed, becoming New co*ke, however this was unsuccessful and the company returned to the original recipe, renaming it Coca-Cola Classic. Nowadays, a leader in the multi-billion-dollar industry of Soda, Coca-Cola’s revenues have been reported in excess of $23 billion a year.

3. A political symbol

Although Coca-Cola is of course a public company, and not a political organisation, however over the years its’ identity as a multinational corporation so closely associated with the US has led it to become a political symbol. For example during the Cold War,Coca-Colabecame a symbol of capitalism in the dramatic struggle against communism, and it was not marketed in the former Soviet Union due to the worries that profits would go to the communist government. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, many East Germans bought crates ofCoca-Cola and drinking it became a symbol of freedom.

Over the years the companyhas also struggled in the Middle East, mainly due to a boycott implemented by the Arab League from 1968-1991, as a punishment for it selling in Israel, and many local versions of the drink have therefore thrived. Meanwhile in Thailand in 2003 protesters pouredCoca-Colaonto the streets in protest of the US-led invasion of Iraq, causing sales to be temporarily suspended. In Iran, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatened to ban the drink while Venezuela’s former president Hugo Chavez encouraged people to drink locally-made fruit juice instead ofCoca-ColaorPepsi.

In Myanmar in Southeast Asia, Coca-Cola was in fact banned up until 2012. US companies were banned following economic sanctions enforced by them against the country’s repressive government, the military junta which ruled the country from 1962 to 2011. However, in 2012 Coca-Cola announced a $200 million, five-year investment plan and a bottling plant was opened in the country’s biggest city, Hmawbi Township. In China, Coca-Cola first arrived in 1927 and saw widespread popularity, however when communist leader Mao Zedong took over in 1949, he too banned many imported goods, including the drink. co*ke returned to the country in 1979, and China is now the company’s third-largest market, with Mexico coming second. In Vietnam Coca-Cola was also banned for several years due to a US trade embargo related to the Vietnam War, but this was lifted in 1994.

The history of Coca Cola, where it was banned and why? - Travel Tomorrow (2)

4. A banned product

While some countries may have threatened to ban the sale of Coca-Cola, and in certain countries this has actually been enforced for certain periods of time, today there are just two countries in the world where the soda cannot be bought or sold; Cuba and North Korea. Cuba, despite being one of the first three countries outside the US to bottle the drink when Coca-Cola opened a bottling plant there in 1906, ultimately banned the drink. Production was halted in 1962 afterFidel Castroled the Cuban Revolution and on August 6th 1960 his government began seizing assets owned by all foreign countries, specifically targeting American companies, and a trade embargo was initiated. The US still has a commercial, economic, and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba, meaning no American companies can trade with Cuba.

Meanwhile, during theKorean War from 1950 to 1953, the US imposed trade sanctions on North Korea, which tightened further when North Korea bombed South Korea in the 1980s. From 1950 to 2008, trade between the US and North Korea remained restricted, and North Korea has not distributed or sold Coca-Cola since the Korean War.

The history of Coca Cola, where it was banned and why? - Travel Tomorrow (2024)

FAQs

Why did Coca-Cola get banned? ›

Production was halted in 1962 after Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution and on August 6th 1960 his government began seizing assets owned by all foreign countries, specifically targeting American companies, and a trade embargo was initiated.

Why did North Korea ban co*ke? ›

Apart from cuba, Coca-Cola is also not sold in North Korea. The Korean war took place between 1950 and 1953, because of which the united states imposed economic sanctions on North Korea. In 1980, north korea bombed South Korea, since then America has made strict laws. So, Coca-Cola is not sold in North Korea.

What country is Coca-Cola illegal? ›

Coca Cola, the best-selling soft drink in history, is one of the brands that has a presence in practically every part of the world. However, this soft drink cannot be bought or sold in three countries in the world: Cuba, North Korea and Russia.

When was Coca-Cola illegal? ›

In 1909, the Pure Food and Drug Act passed, and the United States government seized 40 barrels and 20 kegs of Coca-Cola syrup because they considered the added caffeine to be a harmful ingredient.

What is Coca-Cola accused of? ›

Since the 1990s Coca-Cola has been accused of unethical behavior in a number of areas, in- cluding product safety, anti-competitiveness, racial discrimination, channel stuffing, dis- tributor conflicts, intimidation of union workers, pollution, depletion of natural resources, and health concerns.

Why was there a ban on soft drinks? ›

Try the Well newsletter for 4 weeks. In recent years, hospitals and medical centers across the country have stopped selling sugar-sweetened beverages in an effort to reduce obesity and diabetes.

Why is there no co*ke in Cuba? ›

Cuba was actually one of the first three countries outside the US to bottle co*ke, in 1906. But the company moved out as Fidel Castro's government began seizing private assets in the 1960s, and has never returned.

Why is Coca-Cola banned in China? ›

But in 1949, when communist leader Mao Zedong took over, co*ke, along with other imported goods from the West, was banned. It didn't return until 1979, and by then many Chinese people had never tried it. In time, the drink caught on, and today China is Coca-Cola's third-largest market, after the US and Mexico.

Why is Coca-Cola banned in Russia? ›

Coca-Cola is the latest major global food and beverage giant to suspend operations in Russia as an act of protest against the Russian invasion and continued attack on Ukraine and follows similar announcements made by PepsiCo, Starbucks, and McDonald's.

Why is thumbs up not sold in us? ›

Thums Up is only available in India.

This brand was originally its own company when the New York Times reported that the Indian government removed Coca-Cola and Pepsi from the country in the 1970s. When they allowed the cola companies back in the 1990s, Coca-Cola bought the brand and has owned it ever since.

What 2 countries do not carry Coca-Cola? ›

Those two countries dealing with the misfortune of not having coca-cola or coca-cola products are Cuba and North Korea. The reason for these awful circ*mstances is the result of long-term trade embargoes and sanctions against these countries.

Where is the most Coca-Cola sold? ›

More co*ke is consumed per capita in Mexico than in any other country, and some studies suggest the indigenous communities of the highlands, or Los Altos, may be the soft drink's most loyal customers on the planet.

What are the main problems of Coca-Cola? ›

Coca-Cola has been declared the worst plastic polluter in the world. It pumps out 200,000 bottles a minute, an equivalent of 3 million tons of plastic packaging a year.

What is the oldest soda? ›

Vernor's boasts the oldest soda in America, but not the world. That belongs to Schweppe's, who created a carbonated mineral water in 1783. Other old sodas include Hires Root Beer (1876), Moxie 1876, Dr. Pepper (1885) Coca-Cola (1886) and Pepsi (1893.

What is the lawsuit against Coca-Cola? ›

A new class-action lawsuit in the US alleges Coca-Cola and Simply Tropical fruit juice deceived customers with claims of an all-natural, healthy product when the juice has been found to be contaminated with toxic PFAS at levels “hundreds of times” above federal advisory limits for drinking water.

Why did the government sue Coca-Cola? ›

Claim. On March 13, 1911, the government initiated the case under the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act. It tried to force The Coca-Cola Company to remove caffeine from the Coca-Cola formula, believing that the product was adulterated and misbranded.

Why did Pepsi sue Coca-Cola? ›

A key allegation in the complaint in the New York action was that Coca-Cola was harming the plaintiff by spreading the allegation that it was unlawfully marketing a beverage with the word “cola” in its name.

What is the Coca-Cola controversy with Ronald? ›

(Reuters Photo.) At the pre-match press conference for UEFA Euro 2020, the Portuguese star wasn't pleased with the fact that two Coca-Cola bottles were kept in front of him. So, he moved the bottles out of the camera view during and encouraged people to drink water instead.

Why is soda banned in New York? ›

In an effort to reduce levels of obesity in the city, the New York City Board of Health recently gave its approval for a ban on large soda sales at restaurants, movie theaters, street carts and other venues. This is the first restriction of its kind in the US.

Is drinking soda or smoking worse? ›

Sugary drinks are just as bad as smoking cigarettes,” said Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz. “Both are harmful, resulting in poor health to those who take them. What more does it take to convince people that smoking can lead to cancer and that sugar calories bring on obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease?

Why is there no water in Cuba? ›

Cuba water issues stem from an obsolete and deteriorating infrastructure. The original water and sewage systems on the island were installed prior to the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Very little maintenance has been done on the system in the five decades since, said Solo-Gabriele.

Why is there no beer in Cuba? ›

Demand is so high that Cuban breweries are unable to keep up. The country's main brewer Bucanero, which is a joint venture between the government and Anheuser-Busch, said it will have to import three million cases of beer from Dominica to meet the demand in the short term.

Why can't you drink tap water in Cuba? ›

Although drinking water in Cuba is treated with chlorine to kill bacteria, pollution is still a risk. Another fact about Cuba is that even perfectly safe water for the local population may give you traveler's diarrhea. That's because your stomach is not used to the water's bacterial makeup.

Where is Pepsi banned? ›

Traders in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have banned the sale of Coca-Cola and Pepsi in favour of local products. The ban, which was proposed by the state's top two associations of traders, came into effect on Wednesday.

Is Coca-Cola ban in Europe? ›

In a rush to safeguard the health of their publics, the governments of Spain and France banned the sale of Coca-Cola soft drinks. However, other nations near Belgium, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, did not ban sales of co*ke products.

What soda is banned in other countries? ›

Mountain Dew & Fresca

BVO is banned in Japan and the European Union because it contains bromine, the element found in brominated flame retardants, which can build up in the body and potentially lead to memory loss, as well as skin and nerve problems. The grapefruit-flavored soda, Fresca, also contains the ingredient.

Why did McDonald's close in Russia? ›

"The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald's to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald's values," the company said.

What brand is bigger Pepsi or co*ke? ›

In 2020, Coca Cola's brand value was at 84.86 billion U.S. dollars, while PepsiCo's brand value was at 70.9 billion U.S. dollars. This statistic is a testament to the fact that Coca Cola is still the leading brand in the soft drink industry, with a brand value that is significantly higher than that of PepsiCo.

When did McDonald's leave Russia? ›

From 1990 to 2022, the American fast food chain McDonald's operated and franchised McDonald's restaurants in Russia. After 14 years of planning and negotiations, McDonald's Canada president George Cohon was permitted to open the first McDonald's in Russia by the Soviet government in 1990.

How much alcohol is in Sprite? ›

Sprite is 0.05%. Desserts and foodstuffs don't need an abv even though many will contain over 0.5% alcohol.

Does soda help digest meat? ›

Cola's high acidity and caramel flavor makes a surprisingly good meat tenderizer. Cola typically has a pH of about 2.7—for comparison, lemon juice has a pH of 2—making it acidic enough to break down some proteins without dissolving your meat.

Does Pepsi contain alcohol? ›

Alcohol levels as low as 10 mg are believed to be in every litre of these drinks. Putting it in perspective, this is about 0.0001 per cent alcohol.

Do they have co*ke in Cuba? ›

You can buy coca-cola in both Cuba and North Korea. In fact, coca-cola is the most well known global brand in the world, with even McDonalds not getting a look in when it comes to global coverage.

Where does co*ke not sell? ›

Today, the popular assertion is that Cuba and North Korea are the only two countries where Coca-Cola is not officially sold. Coca-Cola's website claims that Coca-Cola is available in "over 200 countries" but there are actually only 196 independent countries on the planet.

Where is co*ke made? ›

Cocaine is produced from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythoxylon coca). The plant grows almost exclusively in northern and western South America. Colombia is now the main producer of illegal cocaine with Peru, Bolivia, and Chile providing significant amounts of the drug.

Why does Mexico drink so much co*ke? ›

Why such a large consumption? With a growing population, safe drinking water is becoming increasingly scarce in a town where some neighbourhoods have running water just a few times a week. So, many residents drink co*ke produced by a local bottling plant.

What state drinks the most co*ke? ›

1. Mississippi: Leading the pack is Mississippi with a daily sugary drink consumption of 41.4 percent and an obesity rate of 35.1 percent. With nation's highest poverty rate and lowest median household income, it is not difficult to see how all these are related.

What is the most bought drink in the world? ›

1. Water. Water is the most popular beverage on the planet. This is such a simple drink, but no one can live without it.

What is Coca-Cola's biggest weakness? ›

Coca-Cola Weaknesses – Internal Strategic Factors

Had it not been Pepsi, Coca-Cola would have been the clear market leader in the beverage. Product diversification – Coca-Cola has low product diversification. Where Pepsi has launched many snacks items like Lays and Kurkure, Coca-Cola is lagging in this segment.

Does Coca-Cola use palm oil? ›

Palm oil is not added directly to any of our beverages and CCEP does not directly buy the commodity.

What type of plastic does Coca-Cola use? ›

On average, our plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic – 25% recycled and 75% virgin PET. Coca‑Cola European Partners are committed to increasing the amount of recycled plastic to 50% this year.

Is Dr Pepper older than co*ke? ›

Dr Pepper was created in 1885 and believed to be the first soda as we know it today followed by Coca-Cola one year later. The story doesn't end there; there have been many modifications to the way soda has been enjoyed between its invention and today.

What happens to soda after 10 years? ›

Carbonated soft drinks or sodas are not perishable, and are safe past the date stamped on the container. Eventually flavor and carbonation will decrease.

What was soda originally called? ›

History
YearTerm
1809Ginger pop
1812Pop
1863Soda pop
1880Soft drink
3 more rows

Why was Coca-Cola illegal? ›

Production was halted in 1962 after Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution and on August 6th 1960 his government began seizing assets owned by all foreign countries, specifically targeting American companies, and a trade embargo was initiated.

Why was Coca-Cola suspended? ›

(CCBPI) confirmed on Tuesday that it has suspended operations in at least four plants amid problems with sugar supply. "On a day-to-day basis, we may be temporarily suspending operations in certain plants," CCBPI corporate and regulatory affairs director Juan Lorenzo Tañada told a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

Why is Coca-Cola declining? ›

As per media reports, industry experts believe that it is because the brands are not big enough to thrive in a large distribution system of companies like co*ke, which is designed to maximise the sales of soda.

Why athletes don t drink Coca-Cola? ›

Most sodas contain sugar

While sugar can give your body a short-term energy boost, once it's depleted, you'll get what's known as a “sugar crash” because your body is not designed to switch to other energy sources like fats and protein quickly. This can significantly hamper athletic performance.

Why is Pepsi banned? ›

Several Indian states have already banned the sale of co*ke and Pepsi at schools and colleges after scientists found they were contaminated by pesticides. Kerala is the first Indian state to ban producing or selling the drinks; its neighbour Karnataka has banned them from schools, colleges and hospitals.

Is Coca-Cola being banned? ›

Still, the beverage isn't legally available everywhere in the world. There are two countries where you won't find the carbonated drink in stores – at least officially. Due to ongoing trade embargoes and sanctions, there are currently no legal avenues to buy Coca-Cola in Cuba and North Korea.

Why can't McDonald's sell co*ke? ›

Why doesn't McDonald's offer Coca-Cola & Pepsi? They can't. Neither company would sign a contract with them if they sold their competitions product. There would have to be twice the tap space and dispencing system because the two systems aren't compatible to each other.

Why do athletes drink Coca-Cola? ›

Research from many institutions has shown it helps mobilize fats and sugar into the bloodstream, making it available for use by the athlete, which should improve endurance performance. Many athletes, including yours truly, have experienced the boost a few sips of cola can provide during a long-course race.

Will Coca-Cola raise blood pressure? ›

Within 40 minutes, the body has absorbed all of the caffeine from the cola. This caffeine causes the pupils to dilate and the blood pressure to increase.

Why do bikers drink co*ke? ›

Cyclists drink Coca-Cola because of its sugar, an important carbohydrate source. Caffeine is an added benefit, giving the cyclist an extra boost. Finally, Coca-Cola also has a positive effect on the morale of the cyclist as it breaks the monotonous taste of sports drinks and energy gels.

Why doesn t Disney sell Pepsi? ›

Disney has the contract to end all contracts with Coca-Cola. All the soda sold in the WDW theme parks and resorts is owned under the co*ke umbrella. You might find Pepsi at your off-site hotel, restaurant, or gas station, but you will NOT find it on Disney property.

What was Pepsi biggest scandal? ›

Theoretically, these bottle caps were cumulatively worth US$32 billion. Thousands of Filipinos rushed to Pepsi bottling plants to claim their prizes. PCPPI initially responded that the erroneously printed bottle caps did not have the confirmation security code, and therefore could not be redeemed.

Why is co*ke so expensive now? ›

The price increases started in early 2020, when people were panic buying because of the pandemic. Prices continued to rise in the soda industry thanks to the cost of aluminum increasing. According to Reuters in an early 2021 report, the cost of aluminum climbed about 60% over the course of a year.

What is the FDA warning on co*ke? ›

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to the company, objecting to the product's labeling, which describes the drink as "Diet co*ke with Vitamins and Minerals." Regulators said the beverage does not have enough nutrients to justify the use of the word "plus" in its name.

What soft drink is being discontinued? ›

'Ready-to-drink formats of Lift will be phased out of stores by the end of September 2022, except for Glass 330mL which will be phased out by the end of 2022,' a Coca Cola spokesperson said.

Who is co*ke's biggest customer? ›

“Neither one would be what they are today without the other.” McDonald's is co*ke's largest restaurant customer, and the two companies maintain a unique, symbiotic relationship. As McDonald's expanded globally, it often used Coca-Cola's offices as a base of operations to get up and running.

What is the oldest major soft drink brand in America? ›

DR PEPPER IS THE OLDEST MAJOR SOFT DRINK IN AMERICA.

Originally made in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, the drink's unique flavor was a hit when it was first sold in 1885.

Is Dr Pepper a co*ke product? ›

Strangely, Dr Pepper is only owned by Coca Cola in its European and South Korean markets. Everywhere else it is sold is managed by the Keurig Dr Pepper company. This company also owns the well known soft drink 7up.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6142

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.