Update, February 19, 2020 1:05 p.m. The National Beverage Corporation announced this week that the lawsuit challenging LaCroix’s claim that it uses all-natural ingredients has been dismissed.
After a laboratory test "made no findings that LaCroix contained any artificial ingredients," the lawsuit was retracted. The plaintiff in the lawsuit, along with her lawyers, confirmed via a press release that they agreed to the dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice (which means that it cannot be brought again).
Original, October 7, 2018 9:26 a.m.: Your favorite seltzer is under fire for possibly containing some upsetting ingredients. A recently filed lawsuit alleges that the sparkling water includes an ingredient used in cockroach insecticide. The suit mostly finds fault with the seltzer's claim that it contains "all natural" ingredients. Customer Lenora Rice enlisted the la firm Beaumont Costales to file the suit on her behalf, according to CBS Philadelphia.
"LaCroix in fact contains ingredients that have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as synthetic,” the lawsuit states according to CBS. "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."
It should be noted, though, that the Code of Federal Regulations these so-called chemicals (limonene is actually found in citrus peels) generally safe, and studies show they're a common flavoring agent in juices and and drinks. It has only been proven to be carcinogenic to mice and rats.
LaCroix's parent company, National Beverage Corp., strongly denies the allegations. The company insists that all ingredients are in fact 100% natural. The company issued a statement earlier this week to clarify its position.
"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.'”
H/T: USA Today
