NORTHFIELD, ILL. , December 14, 2006 - Today Kraft Foods announced the dismissal of four lawsuits brought by parents who alleged that certain Kraft ready-to-drink beverage products had the potential to contain low levels of benzene. The ready-to-drink beverages have been reformulated to ensure that the potential for benzene formation is minimized.
Earlier this year Kraft conducted a safety assessment of all of the company's beverages that contain sodium benzoate and vitamin C. Even though Kraft confirmed that the level of benzene that could be present in its products did not present a health or safety risk, the company proactively made adjustments to ingredients, processing methods and packaging on these products to reduce or eliminate the possibility of benzene formation.
The cases were voluntarily dismissed after Kraft demonstrated to counsel for the parents that it had reformulated the products to address the issues raised in the lawsuits prior to the filing of the complaints.
The suits that were dismissed involved three ready-to-drink beverage products -- Crystal Light Sunrise Orange, Kool-Aid Jammers, and Kool-Aid Jammers 10. These products contained two ingredients -- sodium benzoate and vitamin C -- that under certain conditions had the potential to form very low levels of benzene. Kraft stopped producing and shipping Crystal Light Sunrise Orange single serve bottles in early February and resumed shipping of this product only after testing had confirmed that the new formula minimized the formation of benzene. These steps were taken prior to the lawsuits being filed. Although Kool-Aid Jammers and Kool-Aid Jammers 10 were much less susceptible to benzene formation than Crystal Light Sunrise Orange, Kraft proactively made adjustments to these products to reduce or eliminate the possibility of benzene formation.
Consumer safety is and remains Kraft's highest priority and the company would not allow any product in market if it believed there was a health or safety risk. Reformulated versions of these products can be identified by checking the "Best When Used By" date. Reformulated products have a "Best When Used By" date of, or later than:
- Crystal Light Sunrise Orange (4 pack bottles) 11/27/2006
- Crystal Light Sunrise Orange (64 ounce Multiserve) 1/21/2007
- Kool-Aid Jammers Cherry 2/11/2007
- Kool-Aid Jammers 10 Cherry 2/11/2007
- All other Kool-Aid Jammers and Kool-Aid Jammers 10 products 3/1/2007
Kraft believes the formula changes it has made should address any concerns consumers might have and demonstrate its continued commitment to product safety. Consumers who purchased products with earlier "Best When Used By" dates may contact Customer Service at 1-800-323-0768 or at http://kraftfoods.com/main.aspx?m=contact_us/contact_us&cat1=103&cat2=27 to participate in Kraft's customer satisfaction policy, and should indicate what product they purchased.
About Kraft
Kraft Foods (NYSE:KFT) is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. For more than 100 years, we've helped people around the world eat and live better. Millions of times a day, in more than 150 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft brands.
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Contact:
Elisabeth Wenner
847.646.4271
Elisabeth.Wenner@Kraft.com