Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters are primarily used to:

Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters are designed to effectively adsorb a wide range of contaminants due to their large surface area and porosity. One of their primary uses is to remove taste and odor-producing compounds from water, which is crucial for ensuring water quality and palatability. This function is essential in various applications, including drinking water treatment, where pleasant taste and smell are critical.

Additionally, GAC filters are highly effective at removing synthetic organic chemicals, which can be present in water due to industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and various other sources. These contaminants may pose significant health risks and can affect water's aesthetic qualities.

In the context of the beverage industry, especially for soft drinks, ensuring the water used is free from undesirable tastes, odors, and harmful chemicals is vital for maintaining product quality and safety. GAC filters therefore play a crucial role in treating water for soft drinks, ensuring that it meets the necessary standards for consumption.

Given their multifaceted capabilities, GAC filters are used not only for taste and odor removal but also for the removal of synthetic organic chemicals, making the inclusion of all these functionalities in the correct answer comprehensive and accurate. Thus, it encompasses the complete spectrum of GAC filter applications.