Court Approves Settlement Involving Soft Drink Companies

WASHINGTON -- A settlement agreement between several plaintiffs who alleged soft drink benzene exposure and InZone Brands Inc. and TalkingRain Beverage Co. was approved by a Washington D.C. court on Aug. 25, sources told HarrisMartin. Lisbeth Gordon v. InZone Brands; No. 2006-CA-939; MeLisa Gonzalez v. InZone Brands; No. 06-CV-02163; Kelly Lamond v. Pepsico, No. L-4427-06; Newell v. Polar Beverages, No. SUCV2006-01550; Lavigne v. InZone Brands; No. 3200-06 (D.C. Sup. Ct.).

The settlement agreement stipulates that the two soft drink companies must 'entirely replace' ingredients in beverages, specifically ones that contain purified water, juice from concentrate, natural flavor, potassium benzoate and …