LaCroix faces lawsuit for allegedly including cockroach insecticide in its sparkling water

The company that supplies the world with LaCroix sparkling water is being sued on allegations that the water isn’t 100 percent natural.

Beaumont Costales filed the class-action lawsuit on behalf of Lenora Rice, a plaintiff who claims LaCroix sparkling water contains synthetic ingredients, including one commonly used in cockroach insecticide. A release from Beaumont Costales adds:

“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.”

National Beverage Corporation, which produces LaCroix sparkling water, “categorically denies” the allegations issued in the lawsuit.

“Natural flavors in LaCroix are derived from the natural essence oils from the named fruit used in each of the flavors. There are no sugars or artificial ingredients contained in, nor added to, those extracted flavors,” the beverage maker says.

“All LaCroix product labels include an ingredient statement indicating each product contains carbonated water and natural flavors. National Beverage stands by that ingredient statement and the fact that all the flavor essences in LaCroix are natural.”

The lawsuit states that National Beverage “is aware of the synthetic chemicals” in LaCroix and that they “intentionally misled consumers into believing LaCroix all-natural in order to drive sales of the product.”

Rice is seeking damages in addition to making LaCroix change its labeling and promotion of its sparkling water.