LOS ANGELES — A bitter billion-dollar battle in the sweetener wars came to an end late last week as sugar processors and the makers of high fructose corn syrup announced a secret out-of-court settlement.The deal midway through a trial in Los Angeles federal court was announced in a short statement Friday afternoon that sugar-coated the hostility that emerged from dueling lawsuits over losses each side blamed on efforts by their rival to win over consumers.By bringing the case to a close privately, the foes avoided …