Soft Drink Companies Settle Lawsuit

Two soft drink companies have reached an agreement with courts in US not to use chemicals that would ultimately form benzene. In Zone Brands Inc, and TalkingRain Beverage Co were taken to court by parents for using chemicals in their drinks, which increased benzene formation.

Presence of vitamin C and potassium or sodium benzoate in soft drinks or fruit juices can cause formation of benzene, which in turn causes cancers like leukemia. Soft drink companies in Kansas, Massachusetts, Florida, California and New Jersey are also facing similar lawsuits.

The World Health Organization limits benzene in water as 10 parts per billion in drinking water, while the FDA limits it at 5 parts per billion.

Andrew Rainer, the Boston lawyer who represented the parents in this lawsuit said it should act as an impetus for other companies to avoid chemicals that form benzene.