National Beverage Corporation, makers of the popular sparkling water LaCroix, is facing a lawsuit [1] alleging that the beverage contains "non-natural flavourings." The lawsuit, filed in Cook County, IL, claims that LaCroix contains ingredients that are synthetic compounds: ethyl butanoate [2], limonene [3], linalool [4] (an ingredient that is claimed to be a cockroach insecticide), and linalool propionate.
The lawsuit does not explain how the product was tested nor does it explain how much of each ingredient someone would have to consume to potentially experience side effects.
"National Beverage Corp. categorically denies all allegations in a lawsuit filed today without basis in fact or law regarding the natural composition of it's LaCroix sparkling waters," the parent company said in a statement [6] on October 1, 2018. In the same statement, they explained that the natural flavours found in LaCroix "are derived from the natural essence oils from the named fruit used in each of the flavours."
According to National Beverage Corporation, all the essences found in LaCroix are 100 percent natural. "All LaCroix product labels include an ingredient statement indicating each product contains carbonated water and natural flavours. National Beverage stands by that ingredient statement and the fact that all the flavour essences in LaCroix are natural," they concluded.
This story is still developing and will be updated when more information becomes available.