On: On 17th century "cocaine"

[tombert]

> Coca-Cola still uses coca leaves in the production of its drink.

Is this actually true? A quick search gives me a lot of sources like "Natural News" and similarly dubious sources. What do they actually use the Coca leaves for?

[cynicalpeace → tombert]

It is 100% true. It seems a DEA source would convince you: https://museum.dea.gov/exhibits/online-exhibits/cannabis-coc....

"In the late 1800s cocaine was used as a primary ingredient for flavor in Coca-Cola. In the early 1900s cocaine in its crude form was removed. Today the extract of the coca leaves, a de-cocainized version, is manufactured in the United States and used in the flavoring for Coca-Cola."

[Suppafly → cynicalpeace]

>Today the extract of the coca leaves, a de-cocainized version, is manufactured in the United States and used in the flavoring for Coca-Cola."

Interesting, I had always heard that they had to "de-cocainize" the extract outside the US and import the resulting product.

[cynicalpeace → Suppafly]

Nope. Coca-Cola and the Stepan Company have worked very hard to keep this fascinating fact under wraps. It's obviously not a good look for them.

[cma → cynicalpeace]

i thought they need the separated drug part of the extract anyway because that's the source we use to produce lidocaine in the US.

[cynicalpeace → cma]

They do the extraction in New Jersey

[tombert → cynicalpeace]

Fair enough!

[abcd_f → cynicalpeace]

> DEA source

It has a step-by-step description of cocaine extraction process further down the page.

I mean you can probably find the same on the YT, but seeing it on a DEA site is still a bit jarring.

[greenavocado → tombert]

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-06177.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Drug Enforcement Administration

[Docket No. DEA-1335]

Importer of Controlled Substances Application: Stepan Company

[Andrex → greenavocado]

Was it approved, denied, or still awaiting a decision?