Research summary
Research summary
Topic summary
Claims about Coca-Cola's formula: what is public, what is folklore, and what remains guarded.
Key research questions
- This American Life formula claims
- Merchandise 7X and secret ingredients
- Cocaine in original Coca-Cola formula
- Stepan Company and coca leaf processing
- Coca-Cola formula storage location
Important claims and supporting citations
The Stepan Company processes coca leaves for Coca-Cola, removing cocaine alkaloids before the extract is used.
The This American Life claimed formula was reportedly published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The radio program This American Life (Episode 427, February 2011) claimed to have found the original 1979 Coca-Cola formula.
The Stepan Company of Maywood, New Jersey, is the only US firm with a DEA license to import coca leaves, primarily from Peru.
The original Coca-Cola formula contained cocaine from coca leaf extract.
The base of Pemberton's original 1886 formula contained coca leaf extract with active cocaine.
The Stepan Company in Maywood, NJ, is the only US facility licensed to import coca leaves.
Natural flavors are the secret component of Coca-Cola.
Outstanding questions
- The Stepan Company processes coca leaves for Coca-Cola, removing cocaine alkaloids before the extract is used.
- The Stepan Company of Maywood, New Jersey, is the only US firm with a DEA license to import coca leaves, primarily from Peru.
- The original Coca-Cola formula contained cocaine from coca leaf extract.
- The base of Pemberton's original 1886 formula contained coca leaf extract with active cocaine.
- The Stepan Company in Maywood, NJ, is the only US facility licensed to import coca leaves.
- Natural flavors are the secret component of Coca-Cola.
- The Coca-Cola formula was stored in a Trust Company (later SunTrust) Bank vault in Atlanta from 1925 until December 2011.
- Decocainized coca leaf extract is a likely component of Coca-Cola's "natural flavorings".
Ver todas las afirmaciones (texto)
Afirmaciones
Claim text is for reading and citation. Bulk copying and AI training need a licensed maps data API key. Markdown
The Coca-Cola Company claims that only two executives know the full formula at any given time.
The Coca-Cola Company claims that only two executives know the full formula at any given time.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The Coca-Cola formula was kept unwritten until 1919, when it was documented as collateral for the company's s…
The Coca-Cola formula was kept unwritten until 1919, when it was documented as collateral for the company's sale.
Labels: Inferred, Medium, investigate
This American Life formula claims
This American Life formula claims
Labels: Inferred, Low
Merchandise 7X and secret ingredients
Merchandise 7X and secret ingredients
Labels: Inferred, Low
Cocaine in original Coca-Cola formula
Cocaine in original Coca-Cola formula
Labels: Inferred, Low
Stepan Company and coca leaf processing
Stepan Company and coca leaf processing
Labels: Inferred, Low
Coca-Cola formula storage location
Coca-Cola formula storage location
Labels: Inferred, Low
The original Coca-Cola formula contained coca leaf extract, with an estimated 4–9 mg of cocaine per glass.
The original Coca-Cola formula contained coca leaf extract, with an estimated 4–9 mg of cocaine per glass.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The purported 1979 recipe listed fluid extract of coca: 3 drams USP, citric acid: 3 oz, caffeine: 1 oz, sugar…
The purported 1979 recipe listed fluid extract of coca: 3 drams USP, citric acid: 3 oz, caffeine: 1 oz, sugar: 30 lbs (presumably per batch), water: 2.5 gal, lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart, vanilla: 1 oz, caramel: 1.5 oz or more, alcohol: 8 oz, and specific amounts of flavoring oils (orange 20, lemon 30, nutmeg 10, coriander 5, neroli 10, cinnamon 10 drops).
Labels: Inferred, Medium
Cocaine was removed from the Coca-Cola formula around 1903.
Cocaine was removed from the Coca-Cola formula around 1903.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The Stepan Company of Maywood, New Jersey, is the only US firm with a DEA license to import coca leaves, prim…
The Stepan Company of Maywood, New Jersey, is the only US firm with a DEA license to import coca leaves, primarily from Peru.
Labels: Source-linked, Medium, investigate
The secret flavoring component of Coca-Cola is internally referred to as "Merchandise 7X."
The secret flavoring component of Coca-Cola is internally referred to as "Merchandise 7X."
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The flavoring for Coca-Cola is still made from decocainized coca leaf extract processed by the Stepan Company…
The flavoring for Coca-Cola is still made from decocainized coca leaf extract processed by the Stepan Company of Maywood, New Jersey.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
A written copy of Coca-Cola's formula is stored in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, Georg…
A written copy of Coca-Cola's formula is stored in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, Georgia.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The written copy of Coca-Cola's formula was moved to the World of Coca-Cola museum in 2011.
The written copy of Coca-Cola's formula was moved to the World of Coca-Cola museum in 2011.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The Stepan Company in Maywood, NJ, is the only US facility licensed to import coca leaves.
The Stepan Company in Maywood, NJ, is the only US facility licensed to import coca leaves.
Labels: Source-linked, Medium, investigate
The written copy of the Coca-Cola formula is allegedly stored in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum in…
The written copy of the Coca-Cola formula is allegedly stored in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, Georgia.
Labels: Source-linked, High, known
The "natural flavors" portion of Coca-Cola's ingredients is the undisclosed concentrate, historically referre…
The "natural flavors" portion of Coca-Cola's ingredients is the undisclosed concentrate, historically referred to as Merchandise 7X.
Labels: Inferred, Medium
The original Coca-Cola formula contained cocaine from coca leaf extract.
The original Coca-Cola formula contained cocaine from coca leaf extract.
Labels: Source-linked, High, investigate
The Stepan Company processes coca leaves for Coca-Cola, removing cocaine alkaloids before the extract is used.
The Stepan Company processes coca leaves for Coca-Cola, removing cocaine alkaloids before the extract is used.
Labels: Source-linked, High, investigate
The Stepan Company plant in Maywood, New Jersey, is the only US entity licensed by the DEA to import coca lea…
The Stepan Company plant in Maywood, New Jersey, is the only US entity licensed by the DEA to import coca leaf.
Labels: Inferred, Medium, known
The base of Pemberton's original 1886 formula contained coca leaf extract with active cocaine.
The base of Pemberton's original 1886 formula contained coca leaf extract with active cocaine.
Labels: Source-linked, High, investigate
The Stepan Company de-cocainizes coca leaf.
The Stepan Company de-cocainizes coca leaf.
Labels: Inferred, Medium, known
The Stepan Company sells the flavor extract, known as "Merchandise No.
The Stepan Company sells the flavor extract, known as "Merchandise No. 5," to Coca-Cola.
Labels: Inferred, Medium, known
The Coca-Cola formula is internally referred to as "Merchandise 7X."
The Coca-Cola formula is internally referred to as "Merchandise 7X."
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The radio program This American Life (Episode 427, February 2011) claimed to have found the original 1979 Coc…
The radio program This American Life (Episode 427, February 2011) claimed to have found the original 1979 Coca-Cola formula.
Labels: Source-linked, High, known
Decocainized coca leaf extract is a likely component of Coca-Cola's "natural flavorings".
Decocainized coca leaf extract is a likely component of Coca-Cola's "natural flavorings".
Labels: Source-linked, Medium, investigate
The original Coca-Cola drink contained extracts from coca leaves, which supplied cocaine.
The original Coca-Cola drink contained extracts from coca leaves, which supplied cocaine.
Labels: Inferred, Medium
Commonly cited components of the 7X base include orange oil, lemon oil, nutmeg oil, cinnamon oil, coriander o…
Commonly cited components of the 7X base include orange oil, lemon oil, nutmeg oil, cinnamon oil, coriander oil, neroli (bitter orange flower) oil, vanilla, and lime juice.
Labels: Inferred, Medium
Natural flavors are the secret component of Coca-Cola.
Natural flavors are the secret component of Coca-Cola.
Labels: Source-linked, High, investigate
The Stepan Company sells the extracted cocaine to Mallinckrodt for pharmaceutical use.
The Stepan Company sells the extracted cocaine to Mallinckrodt for pharmaceutical use.
Labels: Inferred, High, known
The This American Life claimed formula was reportedly published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The This American Life claimed formula was reportedly published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Labels: Source-linked, High, known
The Coca-Cola formula was stored in a Trust Company (later SunTrust) Bank vault in Atlanta from 1925 until De…
The Coca-Cola formula was stored in a Trust Company (later SunTrust) Bank vault in Atlanta from 1925 until December 2011.
Labels: Source-linked, Medium, investigate
Before 2011, the written copy of Coca-Cola's formula was kept in a SunTrust Bank vault.
Before 2011, the written copy of Coca-Cola's formula was kept in a SunTrust Bank vault.
Labels: Inferred, High, investigate
The written copy of the Coca-Cola formula was previously stored in a SunTrust Bank vault.
The written copy of the Coca-Cola formula was previously stored in a SunTrust Bank vault.
Labels: Source-linked, High, known