A Lawsuit Claims LaCroix May Contain Cockroach Insecticide Ingredient

A new lawsuit has been filed against LaCroix, claiming that the brand’s sparkling water beverages aren’t “all-natural” like the company states. If the lawsuit is correct, your favorite drink may contain synthetic ingredients.

As covered by ABC 10, law firm Beaumont Costales filed a class action lawsuit against the beverage brand’s parent company, National Beverage Corporation, in which it claimed LaCroix intentionally misled consumers by saying its beverages are “100 percent natural.” The lawsuit alleges that LaCroix actually contains linalool, which is an ingredient in cockroach insecticide, and other chemicals that “can cause kidney toxicity and tumors.”

LaCroix has denied these allegations, and said in a statement issued on Monday that its natural flavors are "derived from the natural essence oils from the named fruit used in each of the flavors.” It also said that all of its essences are “certified by [its] suppliers” to be all-natural.

The Food and Drug Administration said that it considers the word “natural” to mean “containing nothing artificial or synthetic, including color additives” when included on food labels—but the policy “is not intended to address food production methods,” such as pesticide use. And linalool is used in more than just LaCroix. The National Institutes of Health’s national toxicology program said in a report it's a common flavoring in beverages and foods, and can also be included in cosmetics. 

Beaumont Costales says that it wants LaCroix to “stop mislabeling its products” and provide damages to “those individuals who purchased LaCroix under this inaccurate depiction.” LaCroix called the suit “defamatory” and has stated that it will seek damages for “harm caused to the company” as a result of the suit.