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Coke to Put Coke Back in Coke
Mar 20 2004 by NM Puff
The Coca-Cola Company today said it would celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1905 removal of the coca leaf's alkaloid extract from the original formula by reintroducing it in a 2005 Special Coke Edition.
The original 1886 formulation by Dr. William Pemberton, sold as a tonic, contained extracts of both the coca leaf and kola nut, hence the name. The company has cited the national obesity crisis as one of the reasons for the introduction.
The 'tonic' portion was removed a year before the enactment of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. Prior to that time the coca extract had been used in Pemberton's formulation and, famously, by figures as diverse as Sigmund Freud, Pope Leo XIII, and most notably by the ever-astute Sherlock Holmes.
"We know that the truly original formulation of Dr. Pemberton had the effect of suppressing appetite, increasing metabolism and as a result purging unwanted calories," said spokesman Eshwan Bola. "We at Coca-Cola are committed to the goal of reducing obesity."
When asked if addiction was of concern to the company their spokesman implied that addiction was relative. "We allow gambling, tobacco and alcohol, all of which are known to be addicting and all of which are taxed by the way," said Bola.
Bola went on to say that testing among focus groups showed the product to be very popular with numerous suggestions for a Big Gulp version, but he implied that, to assuage the concerns of food franchises over the appetite suppression characteristics of the anniversary edition, it would only be available in cans.
After the interview Bola was swarmed by reporters requesting samples.
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