- Jan 1, 2009
- 10,110
- 6,817
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving weekend to my fellow Canadians. Pics coming soon of the feasts!
- Mar 31, 2011
- 73,009
- 117,261
Bubbly is better.I need to find another company for my sparkling fix.
- Apr 30, 2010
- 69,697
- 106,361
- May 12, 2008
- 36,573
- 48,787
Im trying to understand why would they need to put something like that in sparkling water?
Preservation? Idk
Preservation? Idk
- Jul 27, 2013
- 12,092
- 14,916
Chicken Feet & har gow
- May 12, 2008
- 36,573
- 48,787
SCIENCE
The ‘all-natural’ label on your LaCroix is meaningless, but that doesn’t mean the seltzer is bad for you
Your LaCroix can’t kill cockroaches. Or you.
By Neel V. Patel October 4, 2018
DepositPhotos
Reading the nutrition label on the back of a can of LaCroix sparkling water, you’ll notice only two ingredients: “carbonated water,” and “natural flavors.” The company’s rapid success, culminating in $827 million in sales last year, is due in part to its popularity as an all-natural beverage. Those claims are now coming under fire: a Chicago-based law firm has just filed a class action lawsuit against LaCroix, accusing the company of falsely branding its ingredients as “natural,” when they are, in fact, identified by the FDA as “synthetic.”
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At least, that’s how the argument goes. The truth is, this lawsuit seems to be a stretch, working on the ambiguous nature of how the FDA distinguishes natural chemicals from synthetic ones, and a product of alarmist, chemophobic ideas about what we put in our foods.
Beaumont Costales, the law firm that filed the suit against Natural Beverage Corporation (LaCroix’s parent company), released a statement on Monday that said, “testing reveals that LaCroix contains a number of artificial ingredients… 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.”
Those allegations sound nasty, suggesting the company is pulling a fast one on consumers and dumping some hazardous substances into those colorfully-decorated aluminum cans.
Neither Beaumont Costales nor LaCroix responded to inquiries when contacted, so it’s unclear exactly how many ingredients the plaintiffs are claiming are falsely billed as natural. But even the three chemicals listed—limonene, linalool, and linalool propionate (better known as linalyl propionate)—don’t exactly qualify as synthetic, and they’re also not nearly as dangerous to consumers as Beaumont Costales’ statement suggests.
Let’s start with limonene. PubChem, the National Institute of Health’s open database for chemical compounds, explicitly callslimonene a “naturally occurring chemical,” and “a major component of oil extracted from citrus peels.” Sounds pretty natural, right? As its name suggests, limonene is commonly used to give foods or other products a lemony flavor and fragrance.
And how about those claims that it’s a harbinger of kidney toxicity and cancer? PubChem also states, “there is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of d-limonene.” There is some evidence of male rats experiencing renal problems, including tumors, as a consequence of limonene exposure, but none of those findings (the vast majority of which were published in the early 1990s) have been properly reproduced in humans. Meanwhile, more recent studies suggest limonene is actually antagonistic to cancer.
Linalool is another additive used as a flavoring agent. It’s “naturally occurring,” found within many different types of flowers and spice plants, including mints, scented herbs, laurels, and cinnamon. It is most definitely used in insecticides as well—that part is true. But that doesn’t mean it’s poisonous to humans. After all, we don’t ban chocolate just because dogs can’t eat it. According to PubChem, the only real toxic effects linalool has been documented to inflict on humans are mild skin and eye irritation, namely from aerosolized forms of the chemical. That’s a pretty normal effect for a spicy substance. And, coincidentally, it may also be another anticancer ingredient!
That leaves linalyl propionate, derived from plants like ginger and lavender, and another common flavoring and fragrance additive. It’s been shown to help inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer, at least in the form of Nagami kumquats. I’m honestly having a hard time trying to understand why the law firm decided “might actually be bad for cancer cells” would be an effective argument against LaCroix’s ingredients.
Unless LaCroix is secretly 50 percent linalool (don’t be too worried about that hypothetical; it would taste pretty gnarly) LaCroix drinkers have little to fear. According to Roger Clemens, an expert in food and regulatory science at the University of Southern California, it’s worth remembering these three compounds are found in low levels in a long list of different types of foods and drinks in the U.S. “It is very unlikely these naturally-occurring substances pose a health risk when consumed at levels usually found in foods,” he says. “If there were a health risk, then citrus juices and spices, such as curry, would not be consumed or be part of the commodity market.”
Moreover, food ingredients aren’t all of a sudden dangerous just because they have other, non-dietary uses. Casein, a primary protein in cow’s milk, isn’t making people sick just because it’s also an adhesive ingredient in glues. If someone is arguing that a substance is bad by telling you that it’s used in some poisonous product—as opposed to telling you how the exact substance in question is causing you harm—it’s a good indication they’re grasping at straws. Everything is made of chemicals; chemicals appear as ingredients in many things.
So if all of these substances are found naturally, why is Beaumont Costales claiming they’re synthetic? That might have to do with the FDA’s own documents. The agency’s Title 21 lists both limonene and linaloolunder “synthetic flavoring substances” that are “generally recognized as safe for their intended use,” and lists linalyl proprionateunder “synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants” safe according to certain conditions. This is most likely the crux of the plaintiff’s case.
That doesn’t mean it’s a good argument. According to the FDA, a “natural” ingredient that adds flavor to a food or drink must be from an animal or plant source. But those natural flavors could still contain ingredients that are artificial, such as preservatives. Even the agency’s definitions of “natural” and “synthetic” are far from clear. The three chemicals discussed here can be derived naturally, but even if they are not (and we likely won’t know until the case goes to court), they might simply be used as additives that are supposed to modify the natural flavor compound in some way.
Lastly, Clemens emphasizes, “the term ‘100 percent natural’ does not have a statutory status within the U.S.” It’s a nebulous phrase that can mean whatever you want it to mean. LaCroix has its own interpretation, and just because that doesn’t jive with what you initially thought doesn’t necessarily mean it was fraudulent to consumers. “All-natural” labels exist solely to tempt you into buying stuff. They’re all meaningless, so LaCroix is not unique in this regard. If you want all-natural water, you should stick with the tap(though your results may vary).
If you want to keep drinking LaCroix, ironically or otherwise, you should feel free to keep doing so, and resist getting caught up in alarmist, litigious scares. “Whether a substance is ‘natural’ or ‘synthetic’ should not be a health issue,” says Clemens. “It’s all about safety as assessed by experts in nutrition, food science, food toxicology, and medicine.”
The ‘all-natural’ label on your LaCroix is meaningless, but that doesn’t mean the seltzer is bad for you
Your LaCroix can’t kill cockroaches. Or you.
By Neel V. Patel October 4, 2018
DepositPhotos
Reading the nutrition label on the back of a can of LaCroix sparkling water, you’ll notice only two ingredients: “carbonated water,” and “natural flavors.” The company’s rapid success, culminating in $827 million in sales last year, is due in part to its popularity as an all-natural beverage. Those claims are now coming under fire: a Chicago-based law firm has just filed a class action lawsuit against LaCroix, accusing the company of falsely branding its ingredients as “natural,” when they are, in fact, identified by the FDA as “synthetic.”
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Article Continues Below:
Trending Articles
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At least, that’s how the argument goes. The truth is, this lawsuit seems to be a stretch, working on the ambiguous nature of how the FDA distinguishes natural chemicals from synthetic ones, and a product of alarmist, chemophobic ideas about what we put in our foods.
Beaumont Costales, the law firm that filed the suit against Natural Beverage Corporation (LaCroix’s parent company), released a statement on Monday that said, “testing reveals that LaCroix contains a number of artificial ingredients… 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.”
Those allegations sound nasty, suggesting the company is pulling a fast one on consumers and dumping some hazardous substances into those colorfully-decorated aluminum cans.
Neither Beaumont Costales nor LaCroix responded to inquiries when contacted, so it’s unclear exactly how many ingredients the plaintiffs are claiming are falsely billed as natural. But even the three chemicals listed—limonene, linalool, and linalool propionate (better known as linalyl propionate)—don’t exactly qualify as synthetic, and they’re also not nearly as dangerous to consumers as Beaumont Costales’ statement suggests.
Let’s start with limonene. PubChem, the National Institute of Health’s open database for chemical compounds, explicitly callslimonene a “naturally occurring chemical,” and “a major component of oil extracted from citrus peels.” Sounds pretty natural, right? As its name suggests, limonene is commonly used to give foods or other products a lemony flavor and fragrance.
And how about those claims that it’s a harbinger of kidney toxicity and cancer? PubChem also states, “there is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of d-limonene.” There is some evidence of male rats experiencing renal problems, including tumors, as a consequence of limonene exposure, but none of those findings (the vast majority of which were published in the early 1990s) have been properly reproduced in humans. Meanwhile, more recent studies suggest limonene is actually antagonistic to cancer.
Linalool is another additive used as a flavoring agent. It’s “naturally occurring,” found within many different types of flowers and spice plants, including mints, scented herbs, laurels, and cinnamon. It is most definitely used in insecticides as well—that part is true. But that doesn’t mean it’s poisonous to humans. After all, we don’t ban chocolate just because dogs can’t eat it. According to PubChem, the only real toxic effects linalool has been documented to inflict on humans are mild skin and eye irritation, namely from aerosolized forms of the chemical. That’s a pretty normal effect for a spicy substance. And, coincidentally, it may also be another anticancer ingredient!
That leaves linalyl propionate, derived from plants like ginger and lavender, and another common flavoring and fragrance additive. It’s been shown to help inhibit the proliferation of prostate cancer, at least in the form of Nagami kumquats. I’m honestly having a hard time trying to understand why the law firm decided “might actually be bad for cancer cells” would be an effective argument against LaCroix’s ingredients.
Unless LaCroix is secretly 50 percent linalool (don’t be too worried about that hypothetical; it would taste pretty gnarly) LaCroix drinkers have little to fear. According to Roger Clemens, an expert in food and regulatory science at the University of Southern California, it’s worth remembering these three compounds are found in low levels in a long list of different types of foods and drinks in the U.S. “It is very unlikely these naturally-occurring substances pose a health risk when consumed at levels usually found in foods,” he says. “If there were a health risk, then citrus juices and spices, such as curry, would not be consumed or be part of the commodity market.”
Moreover, food ingredients aren’t all of a sudden dangerous just because they have other, non-dietary uses. Casein, a primary protein in cow’s milk, isn’t making people sick just because it’s also an adhesive ingredient in glues. If someone is arguing that a substance is bad by telling you that it’s used in some poisonous product—as opposed to telling you how the exact substance in question is causing you harm—it’s a good indication they’re grasping at straws. Everything is made of chemicals; chemicals appear as ingredients in many things.
So if all of these substances are found naturally, why is Beaumont Costales claiming they’re synthetic? That might have to do with the FDA’s own documents. The agency’s Title 21 lists both limonene and linaloolunder “synthetic flavoring substances” that are “generally recognized as safe for their intended use,” and lists linalyl proprionateunder “synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants” safe according to certain conditions. This is most likely the crux of the plaintiff’s case.
That doesn’t mean it’s a good argument. According to the FDA, a “natural” ingredient that adds flavor to a food or drink must be from an animal or plant source. But those natural flavors could still contain ingredients that are artificial, such as preservatives. Even the agency’s definitions of “natural” and “synthetic” are far from clear. The three chemicals discussed here can be derived naturally, but even if they are not (and we likely won’t know until the case goes to court), they might simply be used as additives that are supposed to modify the natural flavor compound in some way.
Lastly, Clemens emphasizes, “the term ‘100 percent natural’ does not have a statutory status within the U.S.” It’s a nebulous phrase that can mean whatever you want it to mean. LaCroix has its own interpretation, and just because that doesn’t jive with what you initially thought doesn’t necessarily mean it was fraudulent to consumers. “All-natural” labels exist solely to tempt you into buying stuff. They’re all meaningless, so LaCroix is not unique in this regard. If you want all-natural water, you should stick with the tap(though your results may vary).
If you want to keep drinking LaCroix, ironically or otherwise, you should feel free to keep doing so, and resist getting caught up in alarmist, litigious scares. “Whether a substance is ‘natural’ or ‘synthetic’ should not be a health issue,” says Clemens. “It’s all about safety as assessed by experts in nutrition, food science, food toxicology, and medicine.”
- Mar 19, 2013
- 47,260
- 96,829
Outside the jerk spot waiting for it to open. Debating what to get this time
- Jul 31, 2004
- 2,220
- 3,825
Halal Caribbean? What does that even mean? Kosher?
1
130122
Guest
meats prepared by some muslim carribeans. boutta hit this kosher peruvian spot later lol (not srs)
- Jul 30, 2011
- 25,831
- 15,061
You missed my earlier post when dudes were posting their pics of prime rib.This has to be Harris TeeterHas to be
Yup, Harris Teeter’s Thursday $9.99 special x 3. My son said he was jonsin’ for the special...
Didn’t take pics but there was some left over pieces I had this morning that I ate with some sunny side up eggs, runny of course. Slopped up the yolk with the pieces of prime rib...
Last edited:
- Apr 15, 2004
- 44,372
- 74,069
I always slop the yolk.
- Jul 1, 2015
- 9,375
- 9,542
“Slop the yolk” is crazy.
- Apr 15, 2004
- 44,372
- 74,069
How else would you eat the yolk tho.
You gotta slop the yolk.
I usually slop the yolk with bread but when I was little I saw an old film with Jack Nicholson and he slopped the yolk with bacon.
Nowadays I slop the yolk with a combination of toast and a meat.
You gotta slop the yolk.
I usually slop the yolk with bread but when I was little I saw an old film with Jack Nicholson and he slopped the yolk with bacon.
Nowadays I slop the yolk with a combination of toast and a meat.
- Aug 6, 2012
- 57,886
- 61,636
I think it just refers to the way in which the animal was slaughtered. I think. Not sure.
- Nov 3, 2011
- 26,536
- 29,753
It's not that difficult. It's a Carribean restaurant that prepares food in terms of Muslim law.
- Jul 27, 2013
- 12,092
- 14,916
Dat Gomen
- Mar 19, 2013
- 47,260
- 96,829
fenixconnexion.
@grimeyy Yooo man's want a good milkshake and burger? Peep Harry's Charbroiled in Parkdale. Tiny hole in the wall spot, joint got like 4 tables and a bar but a nice burger and fries. Burger isn't huge but it's on point. Milkshake was
got the vanilla. They had a house made hot sauce, guy told me it was scotch bonnet with carrot base. Took pics but it was pretty dark in there couldn't see ****
Dope ambiance though, playing oldies music.
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,591
- 3,072
Ube alfajores from senor sisig
Hella spicy chicken sisig California burrito from senor sisig
Cross section
Chicken rad na and chicken pad kee mao
Jipai
Taiwanese beef noodle soup & minced pork with rice
Boba with salted cream cheese topping. With doggy butts! Hehe
Various pastries from 85 degrees in Daly City
Pad fried noodles
- Jan 1, 2009
- 10,110
- 6,817
Ya Harry's is legit
Yooo man's want a good milkshake and burger? Peep Harry's Charbroiled in Parkdale. Tiny hole in the wall spot, joint got like 4 tables and a bar but a nice burger and fries. Burger isn't huge but it's on point. Milkshake was
Took pics but it was pretty dark in there couldn't see ****
- Jan 1, 2009
- 10,110
- 6,817
Roast beef and turkey
iDon’tRead
formerly winter91
- Sep 27, 2014
- 4,438
- 1,906
Fox squirrels and a grouse
- May 12, 2008
- 36,573
- 48,787
iDon’tRead
food >* Over everybody
- Dec 20, 2014
- 10,051
- 18,942
Friday went out to watch some baseball and ate at my favorite wing place. Buffalo Wings and Rings in Ontario CA
Last night went to watch the Red Sox game and UFC at Liam’s Irish Pub in Colton CA.
They have these things called Leprechaun Nuts. Delicious
Last night went to watch the Red Sox game and UFC at Liam’s Irish Pub in Colton CA.
They have these things called Leprechaun Nuts. Delicious
iDon’tRead
formerly winter91
- Sep 27, 2014
- 4,438
- 1,906
- Jan 30, 2002
- 43,570
- 27,879
Just a grilled cheese lol
