LOS ANGELES (Thomson Financial) - A federal court in Los Angeles ruled that the lawsuit brought against Johnson & Johnson and its unit McNeil Nutritionals by US sugar farmers can proceed, the Washington-based Sugar Association said in a statment.
The lawsuit accuses Johnson & Johnson of misleading the public through false advertising in regard to its sweetener product Splenda, the association said.
'The central issue before the court is the deceptive nature of the advertising of Splenda -- a chemical sweetener -- to make consumers believe it is a natural product, including the use of the taglines, 'Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar' and 'Good for the Whole Family,' the Sugar Association statement said.
Johnson & Johnson had sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, claiming that the plaintiffs had unreasonably delayed bringing suit.
According to the Sugar Association, it has been estimated that damages in this case could reach 1 bln usd. The trial is scheduled to begin on Jan 29, 2008, in Los Angeles, it added. tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com vs COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.