Why did Coca-Cola remove cocaine from its formula around 1903?

The Coca-Cola Company removed cocaine from its formula around 1903. While the company has not always been transparent about its early ingredients, this change occurred during a period of growing public and legislative concern regarding the safety and addictive nature of patent medicines and food products.123

At the time of its origin in 1886, the drink was marketed as a tonic, with John S. Pemberton basing the formula on extracts from the kola nut and coca leaves. However, as the dangers of cocaine—which is habit-forming and can cause serious physical and mental health issues—became better understood, pressure mounted to regulate its use. This climate eventually led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, which mandated accurate labeling and disclosure of dangerous substances, effectively ending the era of unregulated inclusion of such ingredients in consumer goods.243