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The shocking list of toxic chemicals that lurk in organic brands of sparkling water that are hidden within the “natural flavors” ingredient.
One of the most frustrating responses a consumer can receive when inquiring about the specific ingredients within “natural flavors” on a food label is that it’s “proprietary”.
Lack of transparency is a big red flag that I don’t ignore when it comes to food producers.
If a company won’t tell me exactly what is in its product right down to the specific ingredients in the ubiquitous “natural flavors”, I take my business elsewhere.
Organic Sparkling Water Fakery
In a very awesome turn of events, consumers and independent small business owners are starting to fight back against the lack of corporate transparency by having products tested themselves!
💪 👊
One product known for its clever use of natural flavors are brands of organic sparkling water.
So what’s actually in there anyway?
You would think because it is organically certified, the natural flavors would be harmless, right?
This is what manufacturers want you to think. They want you to assume that everything is on the up and up…when it is most certainly NOT.
Check out the video below of the tenacious woman who had organic sparkling water brands tested on her own dime to find out what was in there after being denied the information by the companies themselves.
The shocking list of toxins she found lurking is a real eye-opener for all of us who try to source the best quality products for our families.
This whole scenario is reminiscent of the cat-and-mouse ploy of food manufacturers to hide MSG within processed foods. This game has been going on for decades. Dozens of MSG aliases on the ingredients label continue to confuse consumers to this day!
If you have been buying organic sparkling water as a healthier alternative to sodas, please note that you are likely consuming carcinogenic solvent residues.
Here is the shockingly long list of solvents in a brand of lime-flavored organic sparkling water. A third-party independent lab produced the results.
- Propanol
- Pentanedione
- Acetaldehyde
- Acetone (nail polish remover)
- Amul alcohols
- Diacetyl
- Ethyl Acetate
- Ethyl Butyrate
- Hexanoate
- Ethyl Octanoate
- Isoamyl Acetate
- Isobutanol
- Isobutyl Acetate
- Methanol
Healthy Alternatives
Instead of buying these unethical brands with their fake “natural flavors’, I would suggest plain sparkling mineral water (my favorite brand) with a squeeze of Apeel-free lime or lemon.
If you prefer the convenience of cans, I recommend this brand of sparkling water flavored with real botanicals and never fake “natural flavors”. Note: I only recommend the non-CBD infused flavors.
Tip: Once you realize that the “natural flavors” are not safe in a product as simple as organic sparkling water, it is a baby step to understanding that any product that lists “natural flavors” in the ingredients is best avoided!
Hi Sarah,
I’ve been a long-time reader of the healthy home economist and love how you provide valuable insights on organic and sustainable living. I’ve learn from long list of solvents in a brand of lime-flavored organic sparkling water that you’ve talked about. Thanks.
Can I safely assume Non GMO Waterloo brand is also just another fakery when it comes to being naturally flavored?
If it says “natural flavoring” in the ingredients, I would suggest not buying it. Just using “natural flavors” on the label is an indication at least to me that the company is attempting to hide something from the consumer.
Hi Polly T –
I am the owner of DRAM. We use glycerin sourced from USA grown flax. It is made by distilling flax oil, and is a rather simple product. The alternative is ethanol, but we do not use that as it’s a potent neurotoxin and carcinogen.
The Ph of our source water is 6.5 and over years of testing we have found no issue with “aluminum leaching into liquid.”
We also test ALL of our products for PFAS contamination, mold, yeast, bacteria and heavy metals.
I would appreciate if you asked questions, rather than spreading harmful misinformation online about my products.
Thank you,
Shae Whitney
DRAM
She was recommending your brand. She said your brand is “Flavored with real botanicals and never fake ‘natural flavors.”
But if they add it to their flavoured water, I will assume some of those toxins are hidden in their regular sparking water, too. Hard pass on all of them for me. Thanks for sharing this information
These large globalist companies can’t be trusted at all….that’s the conclusion I’ve come to at least. Even those that put out certified organic products. Label deception is a part of their business plan. They do not care about their customers.
So the La Croix water my husband likes says “naturally essenced”…same thing as natural flavors/naturally flavored? I’m assuming but thought I would ask…thanks!
Sounds like an alias of “natural flavors” to me … I would not trust it unless they specifically list what those “natural essences” are.
Spindrift sparkling water just has water and real fruit juice added. Seems to be straight up to me.
Thank you for sharing this option!
I agree Spindrift (at least as of this writing December 20203) is still a good option. I also think there is zero fluoride.
Additionally the pH level of many carbonated cans of water including Lacroix have a pH of 2, which is very, very acidic!
And aluminum leaches into liquids that are acidic. Also, Dram sparkling water contains glycerin, which can be made as a by-product of soapmaking using animal or vegetable fat, or it can be made from petroleum. Dram only states that the glycerin is non-GMO, which doesn’t really mean much. If it doesn’t come from petroleum, it likely comes from India or China, and who knows what the animals or vegetable fats were that were used. I avoid drinking glycerin! And now I’m going to avoid anything with natural flavors, even organic beverages- which I had ‘hoped’ that certified-organic beverages with ‘natural flavors’ was avoiding these synthetics, but that was wishful thinking. I think I heard that there is also issues with carbonation. I’m going to work on perfecting my fermented sodas!
Yes, fermented sodas are a fantastic way to go!
Mountain Valley Sparkling is what I have been buying but will switch to Gerolsteiner on your suggestion. David Wolfe has a line of delicious and healthy soda drops that I add for flavor.
I haven’t seen anything concerning about Mountain Valley Spring Valley to be clear. I primarily like Gerolsteiner because it contains a good amount of detoxifying silica like Fiji water.
But Gerolsteiner has high levels of fluoride! Same as San Peligrino! Such a bummer, it’s very hard to find any commercial product that checks all the boxes!
Where did you see this? Can you post a link? The tests that I saw that found San Peligrino high in fluoride found Gerolsteiner to be fine.
Here is the link re Gerolsteimer:
https://truthaboutfluoride.com/does-gerolsteiner-water-have-fluoride/
Please take a look and let me know your thoughts, thanks for all you do!
Why is it necessary to avoid the CBD flavors? Thanks!
I don’t use or recommend CBD oil in any form to be taken internally. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/cbd-oil-dangers/