Class action suit brought against companies over benzene contaminated soda

By Brian Cole

Published on April 11, 2006

The Boston Law Firm of McRoberts, Roberts & Ranier is representing the plaintiffs. The firm says the 2/3 Less Sugar Spiderman bottle produced by In Zone should be taken off shelves because it contains excessive amounts of benzene, a dangerous chemical.

Independent lab results have shown that the product contains 69 parts per billion of benzene. The Environmental Protection Agency only allows 5 ppb of the chemical in tap water, thirteen times less than the amount found in the soda. The suit also claims that Polar Beverage's Diet Orange Dry contains 9 ppb of benzene.

When exposed to benzene over short periods of time, Benzene can cause nervous system damage. After longer exposures, cancer and chromosomal aberrations can occur. The claims of the suit are especially troubling because the products named in it are specifically marketed to children.

President and CEO of Polar Beverages said, "Polar is committed to ensuring the safety of our products through in-depth research and testing and our products exceed the guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration."

In Zone did not release a statement.

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