How “Leftovers of Leftovers” Became a Hit

The US trade embargo against Nazi Germany during World War II made it impossible to import Coca-Cola syrup. As a result, Max Keith, managing director of Coca-Cola Germany, which broke away from its American parent company in 1941, developed his own product: Fanta.

Produced solely from ingredients available in Germany during this period—such as sugar beets, whey and apple pomace—Fanta emerged as a beverage made from what Keith later termed the "leftovers of leftovers.” But people obviously enjoyed it. Fanta didn’t only serve as a sweet refreshment, but was also used as a base for soups and stews, especially when sugar and other flavor boosters were hard to come by due to wartime rationing.

After World War II and the reunification of Coca-Cola Germany with its mother company, Fanta was taken off the shelves—only to make a comeback in 1955, this time as a bubbly orange soda. The new formula was introduced to markets across Europe and soon expanded Fanta's reach to Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Due to concerns about cannibalizing Coca-Cola's market dominance, especially in its fierce competition with Pepsi, Fanta received minimal promotion in North America and lingered in obscurity until the early 2000s. It wasn't even widely available, primarily found in regions with larger immigrant communities who were familiar with Fanta from their home countries.

In any case, to African immigrants American Fanta is essentially a poor substitute. In fact, the Fanta found in African countries delivers a true flavor sensation thanks to the use of real orange juice and sugar. Meanwhile, the American version relies on high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors. Maybe that's also why Fanta holds the second spot in Africa (just behind Coca-Cola) while barely breaking into the top 10 in the US.

Fanta is deeply embedded in African pop culture and is frequently used as a metaphor for life's sweetness or a person's allure. A notable example is Rema's worldwide hit "Calm Down” featuring the prominent line “Girl, you sweet like Fanta, Fanta.” A less well-known instance, but directly named after Fanta, is today's track by Obi Original and Kion Rose.

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