On June 7, 2007, Safeway Inc. settled a lawsuit that alleged the supermarket chain’s “Safeway Select Diet Orange” soda contains ingredients that, when heated, can cause the cancer-causing chemical benzene. This settlement comes on the heels of a settlement with the Coca Cola Co., and in the face of similar complaints to PepsiCo Inc.

The potential benzene-forming ingredients in the soda are ascorbic acid and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Safeway has agreed to reformulate its soda.

Safeway also said it will offer a refund to anyone who has purchased the soda.

Source: “Safeway Settles Benzene Consumer Lawsuit Over Branded Soft Drink Ingredients,” Yahoo! Finance, June 7, 2007.