Coca-Cola’s ‘New Coke’

Forty years ago, on 23 April 1985, Coca-Cola decided to change the secret formula of its fizzy drink, in a bid to be market leaders.

They launched a new flavour called ‘New Coke’.

But, after a public backlash and thousands of angry calls, bosses were forced to act and bring back the old recipe.

In 2011, author Mark Pendergrast spoke to Alan Johnston about the change.

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(Photo: Coca-Cola. Credit: Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG via Getty Images)