California Court Rules State that Sugar Association Intends to Cause Material Commercial Injury to Splenda Sweeteners

23/10/06 The U.S. District Court (Central District) of California denied the Sugar Association's motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, on behalf of its SPLENDA Sweeteners products.

The lawsuit, which will be heard by the District Court, charges the Sugar Association and several of its member companies with false advertising designed to mislead consumers about the safety and taste of SPLENDA Sweeteners. According to the suit, the Sugar Association has been seeking to boost sales of sugar by spreading false and misleading information about SPLENDA Sweeteners via the internet and through other public relations channels.

The lawsuit states the multi-million dollar competitive campaign by the Sugar Association on behalf the Sugar Companies intends to cause material commercial injury to SPLENDA Sweeteners.

SPLENDA Brand Sweetener (sucralose), the sweetening ingredient in all SPLENDA Sweeteners, is made through a patented, multi-step process that starts with sugar and converts it to a no calorie, non-carbohydrate sweetener. The result is an exceptionally stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but without sugar's calories. Recent clinical data suggests that SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener can be a helpful tool for children and families to use as part of a program to reduce calories and increase physical activity, in order to prevent additional weight gain in overweight children.

SPLENDA Sweeteners have been used safely by millions of consumers in all population groups worldwide, including pregnant women, children and individuals with diabetes. SPLENDA Brand Sweetener (sucralose) was first sold more than 13 years ago and is now permitted for use in over 80 countries.