Coca cola contained cocaine from 1885 to 1903

Coca-Cola contained cocaine from 1885 to 1903.

The fact that Coca-Cola once contained cocaine is a little-known piece of history that may come as a surprise to many. From 1885 to 1903, the popular beverage, which was marketed as a tonic, actually contained small amounts of cocaine.

During the late 19th century, cocaine was widely used for its energizing and stimulating effects. It was commonly used as a medicine and could be found in various tonics and elixirs. At that time, cocaine was legal and readily available.

Coca-Cola, created in 1885 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton, was initially marketed as a “brain tonic” and a cure for impotence, headaches, and even morphine addiction. Its ingredients included coca leaves and kola nuts, which enhanced its energizing and therapeutic properties. However, the coca leaves used in Coca-Cola contained a small amount of cocaine alkaloids.

To extract the cocaine, the coca leaves were sent to a manufacturing plant in New Jersey. There, the cocaine alkaloids were removed, leaving behind a concentrated extract known as Merchandise 5X. This extract was then sent back to Coca-Cola’s main plant in Atlanta, Georgia, where it was combined with other ingredients to create the syrup used in the beverage.

While the amount of cocaine in each serving of Coca-Cola was relatively small, an estimated 9 milligrams, it was enough to produce a mild stimulant effect. Consumers enjoyed the energizing properties of the beverage without fully realizing the source of the boost.

As the 20th century dawned, the public perception of cocaine began to change. The dangers of the drug became more widely known, and stricter regulations were put in place. In 1903, Coca-Cola made the decision to remove the cocaine from its formula, replacing it with caffeine as the primary stimulant.

Since then, Coca-Cola has remained a popular and beloved beverage, but without its original cocaine content. The company has continued to evolve and adapt its formula to meet changing consumer preferences and regulatory requirements.

While the presence of cocaine in Coca-Cola may seem shocking today, it is important to remember that it was a reflection of the medical and social context of the late 19th century. The use of cocaine in products was widespread during that time, and it was not yet fully understood or regulated.

Sources:

• Live Science