Soft drink makers settle suit
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Coco-Cola Co. recently was sued a District of Columbia Superior Court as part of an effort to force soft drink makers to eliminate ingredients benzene, which has been linked to leukemia.
Similar suits are pending in Federal court in Kansas, Massachusetts and New Jersey; and in state court in Florida and California."
Benzene can form in soft drinks, which contain vitamin C and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Factors such as hear or light exposure can trigger a reaction, which forms benzene in the beverages. Independent laboratory tests found levels of benzene above the federal limit for benzene in drinking water. The FDS is conducting more tests of other brands in sampling from 1995 to 2001.
Plaintiffs added Coke's Value Zero energy drink to the Kansas lawsuit, which also targets Pepsi Cola's Diet Wild Cherry and Kraft Food's Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange.
Two smaller companies settled. Atlanta based In Zone Brands, Inc, who makes BellWashers and Preston's Talking Rain Beverage Co denied their product caused any harm. However they agreed to change their ingredients in April and May. They also agreed to refund or replace drinks made. Both companies also agreed to pay $35,000. each.
BellyWashers is a juice drink that comes in reusable bottles featuring such characters, as Spiderman, Scooby Doo, and other well know characters.
Coca Cola spokesman state Value Zero is safe.
More testing is expected by the FDA.
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