You've heard about the recent LaCroix lawsuit right? It probably infiltrated your text chains and Facebook feed—maybe even last weekend's dinner party conversations. The suit, filed by the firm Beaumont Costales against LaCroix's parent company claims the "all natural" sparkling water includes an ingredient used in co*ckroach insecticide.
Those headlines caused people to flip—but is there actually cause to worry? And, lawsuit aside, is LaCroix actually healthy? Join us on the #MillennialInvestigation of a lifetime.
What is in LaCroix?
The ingredients list on the back of every can reads the same: carbonated water and natural flavor. There's also zero, well, everything: calories, fat, sodium, carbs, sugar, and protein.
But what, exactly, are those natural flavors?
LaCroix's site states this:
The flavors are derived from the natural essence oils extracted from the named fruit used in each of our LaCroix flavors. There are no sugars or artificial ingredients contained in, nor added to, these extracted flavors.
If that's true, why is there a lawsuit?
The Beaumont Costales statement reads:
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 co*ckroach insecticide.
But even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled these chemicals "synthetic," they say when used as flavoring, they are "generally recognized as safe." And some of those medical claims—they've only been tested on rodents.
OK, tell me more about all these chemicals.
Sure thing. Let's break them down, one by one.
Limonene
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) classifies this as a "naturally occurring chemical," and confirms that the FDA generally recognizes it as safe. The NIH further describes limonene as a "major component of the oil extracted from citrus peels." The chemical has been shown to cause kidney toxicity—only in male rats. So not only is it not proven to cause harm to humans, it might actually be helpful: "Limonene is one of the active components of dietary phytochemicals that appears to be protective against cancer," the NIH database reads.
Linalool
According to the NIH, "linalool is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in many flowers and spice plants." Again, see that whole natural thing? It's also on the list of chemicals that the FDA calls generally safe. As far as toxicity goes, the major concern is eye and skin irritation, which Popular Science points out is common for a spicy substance. Most other negative effects have only been tested on rats and mice. Similar to limonene, it might also fight cancer. One study found linalool exhibited an anticancer effect and could be used in colon cancer therapy.
Linalyl Propionate
This substance is found in ginger, lavender, and sage plants—all, uh, natural plants. JEFCA—an international scientific joint FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)/WHO (World Health Organization) expert committee—determined in 2002 that there was "no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavoring agent," according to the NIH. And, spoiler alert—it could have positive cancer fighting properties.
Hold up: I heard someone said there was co*ckroach insecticide in LaCroix, too.
You may have heard this, but it's not true. Here's a true and, admittedly, still scary-sounding statement: LaCroix contains an ingredient that's also found in co*ckroach insecticide. That'd be linalool, by the way. But guess what's also found in some insecticides? Lavender, a safe-to-ingest natural substance. As Popular Science points out, the fact alone that a natural chemical is in an unnatural product doesn't make it harmful. The site's example is helpful: That'd be like saying casein, a primary protein in cow’s milk, is dangerous because it's also used to make glue.
What about the cans? Are they safe?
A couple of years ago, some people expressed concern over the BPA (Bisphenol A) in LaCroix's cans. You've probably heard of BPA in relation to plastics and metals in general: It's often used to coat containers that hold food, and trace amounts can seep into the food or drink itself. Some states, like California, have classified BPA as a toxic chemical that could cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
With all that in mind, a 2014 FDA study confirmed that BPA is safe at the current levels occurring in foods. LaCroix also argues that the trace amounts are also "virtually eliminated during the curing process."
Will the Pamplemousse flavor mess with my medication?
Pamplemousse is what LaCroix calls its grapefruit flavor (it's the French word for the fruit). Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with some medications, especially ones pertaining to high blood pressure and arrhythmia (irregular or abnormal heart beat). LaCroix derives its grapefruit flavor directly from pure grapefruit oil, and the company suggests speaking with your doctor if you're worried about it negatively affecting your medication.
What about all the other buzzy health concerns people are always talking about?
Like GMOs? LaCroix doesn't contain those. For what it's worth, the sparkling water is also gluten-free, vegan, Kosher, and nut-free.
Delish: Eat Like Every Day’s the Weekend
Sarah Weinberg
Deputy Editor
Sarah Weinberg is the deputy editor at Delish and has covered food, travel, home, and lifestyle for a number of publications, including Food Network Magazine and Country Living. She's originally from the Bay Area, has an unhealthy affinity for the Real Housewives of Anywhere, and harbors strong feelings about fruit salad.
