Legal Juice

That's the allegation, anyway. The plaintiffs allege that certain sodas contain unsafe levels of benzene, which can form in drinks containing vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. (Scientists say factors such as heat or light exposure can trigger a reaction that forms benzene in the beverages.)

So what did the judge do when the soda folks asked him to toss the suit? She declined, and the case moves forward. (Coca Cola settled with the plaintiffs, and agreed to reforumlate the sodas in questions.