Sparkling water containing “all natural” flavors is all the rage these days, but one manufacturer is being sued over allegations that its natural ingredients are anything but natural.
Filed against the parent company of LaCroix sparkling water, the lawsuit alleges that the beverages contain artificial ingredients, including one found in cockroach insecticide.
The suit was filed on behalf of customer Lenora Rice and claims that testing revealed the artificial ingredients.
The lawsuit states:
“LaCroix, in fact, contains ingredients that have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as synthetic. These chemicals include limonene, which can cause kidney toxicity and tumors; linalool propionate, which is used to treat cancer; and linalool, which is used in cockroach insecticide.”
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Moreover, the lawsuit alleges that the makers of LaCroix are aware that the sparkling water contains the ingredients, and are therefore lying to the public.
National Beverage Corp. argues that all of the ingredients in LaCroix are, in fact, 100% natural.
In a statement, the company said:
“The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers ‘natural’ on a food label to be truthful and non-misleading when ‘nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added.”
They further assert: [2]
“Natural flavors in LaCroix are derived from the natural essence oils from the named fruit used in each of the flavors. There are no sugars or artificial ingredients contained in, nor added to, those extracted flavors.”
According to Popular Science, the ingredients in question aren’t dangerous to humans. They give the example of linalool. Though the substance is found in cockroach insecticide, it is found in plants like mint and scented herbs, and therefore is not an artificial ingredient.
However, because the ingredients are listed by the FDA as synthetic, it all boils down to interpretation.
Lawsuits against food companies are increasingly-common as more Americans demand to know exactly what they’re eating. Usually, however, the lawsuits stem from the presence of genetically engineered (GE) ingredients or traces of pesticide or herbicide, such as glyphosate, in products – and of course, those revolving around the big food term ‘natural.’
Sources:
[1] USA Today
[2] CBS News
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