Equal, Splenda Go to Trial

A federal district judge denied summary judgment to the manufacturer of Splenda, which is being sued by the manufacturer of Equal and Nutra Sweet. The plaintiff says that Splenda's slogan -- "made from sugar so it tastes like sugar" -- is misleading because the sugar molecules are chemically altered. How Sweet It Isn't: Equal, Splenda to Clash in Trial, Legal Times (law.com), March 8, 2007.

"[Judge Gene] Pratter's opinion sets the stage for a two-week trial scheduled to begin in April that promises to be a battle of the experts, including a neurobiologist who will testify about the biology of sweet tastes." (Remember, it's Brain Awareness Week! See yesterday's post.)

The memorandum and order is Merisant Co. v. McNeil Nutritionals, No. 04-5504 (E.D. Pa. March 2, 2007).

Graphic: mw.