michael hast wrote:
> Paul M Foster wrote:
>> Robert Snyder wrote:
>>>
>>>
>> Paul
>>
> I'm pretty sure that there is no caffeine in the coca leaf, but there is
> coca in Coca Cola according to this,
>
> "According to popular belief, the coca leaf extract cocaine
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine> was once added to Coca-Cola, per
> se. Because cocaine is naturally present in untreated coca leaves, small
> amounts of cocaine were also present in the beverage. Today's Coca-Cola
> uses "spent" coca leaves, those that have been through a cocaine
> extraction process, to flavor the beverage. Since this process cannot
> extract the cocaine alkaloids <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaloids>
> at a molecular level, the drink still contains trace amounts of the
> stimulant^[25] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_Cola#_note-20> . The
> United States DEA
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_Enforcement_Administration> oversees
> the importation of coca for Coca-Cola, and later sale of the extracted
> cocaine to the drug industry
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_company>.^[26]
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_Cola#_note-21>"" --
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_Cola
As we all should know by now, Wiki is not always the most reliable
source of information on any subject.
Originally, Coca Cola *did* have cocaine in it, long before it was
considered harmful. In fact, it started out as a patent medicine.
However, because of eventual public outcry, the cocaine was removed. And
much later, an additional process was created to remove all but *trace*
amounts of it. Nowadays, Coke is made with powders and solutions far
removed from the actual coca plants. The caffeine added is purchased in
purified form for the purpose of adding to the beverage. Any traces of
actual coca compounds (*if* there are any) at this stage are incidental
and largely unavoidable.
My information comes from a show called "Modern Marvels", a recent
episode on cola drinks. There were people from Coca Cola and Pespico
there to explain various aspects of its history, and I rather doubt all
this went forward without the blessing of both companies. Moreover, I
find it pretty far fetched to imagine that the DEA imports controlled
substances for the benefit of a single American company, so that company
can advertise its beverages to children. (Please, no tin-foil hat
aficionados.)
Paul
-- Paul M. Foster ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.
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