California Court Rules in Favor of SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners in Lawsuit Against Sugar Association

    FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The following information
 is being reissued by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC:
     The U.S. District Court (Central District) of California on October 19
 denied the Sugar Association's motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by
 McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, on behalf of its SPLENDA(R) 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(R) Sweeteners. According to the suit, the Sugar Association has
 been seeking to boost sales of sugar by spreading false and misleading
 information about SPLENDA(R) 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 of the Sugar Companies intends to cause
 material commercial injury to SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners.
     SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener (sucralose), the sweetening ingredient in
 all SPLENDA(R) 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(R) 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(R) Sweeteners have been used safely by millions of consumers in
 all population groups worldwide, including pregnant women, children and
 individuals with diabetes. SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener (sucralose) was first
 sold more than 13 years ago and is now permitted for use in over 80
 countries.
     About SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener
     SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners are marketed by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. You can
 find out more about SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners or get recipes and tips on
 cooking and baking with the brand by logging on to http://www.splenda.com
 or call 1- 800-7-SPLENDA (1-800-777-5363).
     About McNeil Nutritionals, LLC
     McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is a marketer of innovative nutritional
 products. The company's mission is to give people the ability to actively
 manage their own health. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, markets SPLENDA(R) No
 Calorie Sweetener, SPLENDA(R) Sugar Blend, SPLENDA(R) Brown Sugar Blend,
 VIACTIV(R) Calcium Soft Chews, VIACTIV(R) Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews,
 LACTAID(R) Milk and Dietary Supplements, and BENECOL(R) Spreads. McNeil
 Nutritionals, LLC, is headquartered in Fort Washington, PA.
     CONTACT: Michael J. Beckerich, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC,
                     1-215-273-4761
 
 

SOURCE McNeil Nutritionals, LLC