Breaking News and Developments:

Sugar Association Files Lawsuit Against McNeil Nutritionals Over Sucralose.

On Dec. 10, The Sugar Association filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in California alleging "false, deceptive and/or misleading representations made by McNeil about (Splenda brand sucralose sweetener) in order to attract customers to purchase and consume that product, and divert those customers away from their purchase and consumption of sugar." Purported class action suit also brought in California state court by California resident vs McNeil. These follow recent suit brought by Merisant, which sells aspartame-based Equal sweetener. McNeil executive says: "These suits have no merit." Adds: "Splenda no-calorie sweetener, as it is currently advertised and packaged, has been the same since its introduction in 2000."

Coca-Cola Enterprises Names Summerfield "Skeeter" Johnston III to Its Board.

CCE on Dec. 14 named Skeeter Johnston to its board of directors to fill seat vacated by his father Summerfield Johnston Jr. on Dec. 12. Johnston family owns about 7% of company. CCE chairman Lowry Kline cites Skeeter Johnston's "tremendous knowledge and insight into our company."

PepsiAmericas Will Acquire Pepsi Central Investment.

PepsiAmericas on Dec. 16 said it will acquire Pepsi Central Investment for $340 mil "plus an adjustment for excess working capital." PepsiAmericas is the #2 Pepsi bottler in the U.S. with 18% of Pepsi's bottle/can volume. Pepsi Central Investment, with territories in Ohio and Florida, is the #7 bottler with 1.2% of bottle/can volume. When deal completes, PepsiAmericas would have 19.2% of Pepsi's volume compared to Pepsi Bottling Group's 56.7%.

Coca-Cola Enterprises Offers 2005 Outlook.

CCE on Dec. 16 offered guidance for next year. It says overall volume in 2005 will be up 1% to 2%, with North America up about +1%. Europe +4%. Pricing will be up +4%, with North America +4% and Europe +3%. During conference call, CCE executives repeatedly cite stream of innovation from Coca-Cola next year as expected driver of its volume.