LAKELAND, Fla.--(Business Wire)--Publix Super Markets, Inc. and Consumer Attorney Andrew Rainer and
Northeastern University Professor Tim Howard announced today that a
settlement has been reached in the case of a Florida consumer
concerned about the potential formulation of benzene in cans of Publix
Diet Lemon Lime soft drinks. The lawsuit alleged that two ingredients
of the soft drinks, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and potassium benzoate
(a preservative), when combined and exposed to heat over a period of
time may form a small amount of benzene, measured in single digits of
parts per billion.
While the FDA and other food safety authorities have reiterated
that there is no known health risk to consumers from the benzene
levels found in soft drinks, Publix and Cott Beverages (private label
supplier of Publix brand soft drinks), upon notification of the suit,
conducted independent testing of the soft drink flavor. To prevent the
development of any possible benzene development, the formula for
Publix Diet Lemon Lime soda has been changed.
"Out of an abundance of caution and continued customer confidence
in our brand, we engaged our supplier, the experts in soda
manufacturing, to reformulate our Diet Lemon Lime variety to prevent
the possible formulation of benzene under hot conditions over extended
periods of time," said Maria Brous, Publix's Director of Media and
Community Relations. "Cans of Publix Diet Lemon Lime soda with a use
by date of July 03, 2008 (designated on the bottom of the can as
`07/03/08') or later, have been reformulated. Customers who have
purchased the product with a use by date before July 03, 2008, may
return it to their store within the next 90 days for a full refund or
replacement or, if the customer no longer has product purchased since
October 1, 2006, may receive a refund or replacement upon proof of
purchase in the form of a receipt of purchase. Consumers with
questions may contact Publix Consumer Relations at 1-800-242-1227 or
on the web at http://www.publix.com/contact/ContactUs.do."
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 146,000 employees,
with 2006 sales of $21.7 billion. Currently Publix has 926 stores in
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company
has been named one of FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work for in
America" for 10 consecutive years. In addition, Publix's dedication to
superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the
grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction
index survey. For more information, visit the company's Web site,
www.publix.com.
Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lakeland
Maria Brous, 863-688-1188 Ext. 55339
Copyright Business Wire 2008
