Coca-Cola Settles Benzene Claims Stemming from Soft Drink Exposure

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Coca-Cola Company has settled three lawsuits brought by plaintiffs who contended the company sold and marketed two soft drinks that could potentially contain harmful amounts of benzene. Gordon v. InZone Brands, et al., No. 06-405 (N.D. Fla.); Gonzalez v. InZone Brands, et al., 06-02163 (D. Kan.); Lamond v. Pepsico, et al., No. 06-03043 (D. N.J.).

In the May 14 settlement, Coca-Cola agreed to stop producing the drinks in their current form and to pay each of the plaintiffs $500.

The agreement was entered into by plaintiffs Lisbeth Gordon, Mark and Linda Haley, MeLisa Gonzalez and Kelly Lamond. …