Diet Coke Production Could Be Disrupted by Coronavirus Concerns

Sucralose from China may be in short supply

To be clear, the biggest things we should be most concerned about with the spread of the new coronavirus — COVID-19 — is the thousands already infected, the health of others, and the use of the disease to justify anti-Chinese racism, which — stateside — is affecting Chinese-owned businesses. But we can take a moment to talk about Diet Coke, too. Coca-Cola says that the spread of COVID-19 is disrupting its supply chain of artificial sweeteners from China, which could affect production of its diet and no-sugar drinks.

Though the company didn’t specify which artificial sweeteners came from China, CNN reports that in Coca-Cola’s annual report, the company identified sucralose as a “critical raw material” sourced from China. In a statement, Coca-Cola said it has “implemented precautionary measures to protect employees in China, which includes providing face masks and hand sanitizers; installing temperature screening in offices and manufacturing facilities; and setting up health monitoring mechanisms across the Coca-Cola system in China.” Exports of artificial sweeteners produced in China have been delayed, but Coca-Cola said it will know more about the situation by April, and that they don’t expect any delays. Maybe now Diet Coke-loving Trump will have to actually do something about the looming epidemic.

Correction: This piece was amended to reflect that Splenda is a brand name of sucralose, and that Coke’s sucralose supply from China is not Splenda.

And in other news...

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• The Hot Pockets heiress was sentenced to five months in prison for paying $300,000 to fraudulently help her daughters get into college. [Reuters]
• HOT NOW: Krispy Kreme is introducing nationwide delivery service. [FBN]
• McDonald’s is auctioning an 18-karat gold Shamrock Shake cup that’s been appraised at $90,000. [CNN]
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