Kraft Foods Avoids Lawsuits Alleging Benzene-Tainted Drinks

By William Murphy

Published on December 22, 2006

At issue were Kraft's Crystal Light Sunrise Orange and Kool-Aid Jammers. Kraft said it had changed the formulas for the beverages before the lawsuits were filed.

Benzene in drinks has been a concern since tests in 1990 and 1991 revealed that a reaction between common ingredients -- sodium or potassium benzoate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) -- could create benzene. Between 2002 and 2006, approximately 1,500 drinks containing one of the ingredient combinations were introduced across North America, Europe, and Latin America.

Presence of the ingredient combinations does not mean that benzene is automatically present. Scientists say that a catalyst such as heat or light is necessary to cause the benzene-creating reaction to occur.

Prolonged exposure to benzene has been linked to leukemia. According to federal regulations, benzene levels of drinking water must not exceed 5 parts per billion. The FDA has found drinks containing benzene levels as high as 79 parts per billion.

Although Kraft Foods escaped litigation, benzene-related lawsuits are still pending against PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Cadbury Schweppes.

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