Is LaCroix Clean?

slug: is-lacroix-clean

title: "Is LaCroix Clean? The Truth About 'Natural Essence' and PFAS"

teaser: "It's sugar-free and calorie-free, but testing reveals hidden contaminants that might make you rethink your daily fizz."

category: beverages

subcategory: water

verdict: caution

status: published

is_new: true

updated: 2026-03-03

tldr: >

LaCroix is acceptable if you're transitioning off soda, but it's not a truly "clean" water. While the "cockroach insecticide" rumors were debunked, independent testing has detected PFAS ("forever chemicals") at levels above what many experts consider safe. It uses municipal tap water and vague "natural essences" rather than real fruit.

key_findings:

• "Natural Essence" is a trade term for steam-distilled fruit oils, not synthetic chemicals.
• 2020 Consumer Reports testing found PFAS levels between 1.16 and 2.24 ppt, exceeding the 1 ppt safety threshold recommended by scientists.
• The viral "insecticide ingredient" lawsuit was dismissed and retracted; the compounds named are naturally occurring in citrus oils.
• Cans have been BPA-free since April 2019.

sources:

• title: "Consumer Reports PFAS Testing"

url: "https://www.consumerreports.org/bottled-water/whats-really-in-your-bottled-water-a5361150329/"

type: lab-test

• title: "LaCroix Insecticide Lawsuit Dismissal"

url: "https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lacroix-insecticide-cockroach/"

type: article

recommendations:

• name: "Spindrift"

brand: "Spindrift"

verdict: recommended

note: "Flavored with real squeezed fruit juice, not 'natural flavors' or essences."

• name: "Mountain Valley Sparkling"

brand: "Mountain Valley"

verdict: recommended

note: "Bottled in glass (no microplastics) and consistently tests clean for PFAS."

• name: "LaCroix"

brand: "National Beverage Corp"

verdict: acceptable

note: "Better than soda, but contains detectable PFAS and processed flavorings."

related:

• is-sparkling-water-healthy
• is-spindrift-clean
• is-topo-chico-clean
• pfas-in-water
• is-soda-bad

suggested_articles:

• title: "Is Polar Seltzer Clean?"

reason: "Polar is a massive competitor with similar 'natural flavor' ingredients but different PFAS test results."

• title: "What Exactly Are 'Natural Flavors'?"

reason: "Readers are constantly confused by this vague ingredient label found in almost every healthy snack."

The Short Answer

LaCroix is an Acceptable option, but it falls short of being truly "clean."

If you are using it to quit a soda habit, it is a massive improvement—zero sugar, zero sweeteners, and zero calories. However, for the health purist, there are two major red flags: PFAS contamination and municipal water sourcing.

Testing by Consumer Reports found that LaCroix contained PFAS ("forever chemicals") at levels ranging from 1.16 to 2.24 parts per trillion (ppt). While this is lower than competitors like Topo Chico, it is still above the 1 ppt limit recommended by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and many scientists.

Why This Matters

You likely drink sparkling water every day, maybe multiple times a day.

When you consume a product in high volume, trace contaminants matter. A single exposure to 2 ppt of PFAS isn't a crisis, but bioaccumulation is real. These chemicals build up in the body over time and are linked to hormone disruption, immune system suppression, and cancer. Pfas In Water

Furthermore, LaCroix relies on "Natural Flavors" (labeled as essence). While better than artificial flavors, this is still a processed ingredient that allows for incidental additives and solvents, unlike brands that use actual fruit juice. Is Spindrift Clean

What's Actually In LaCroix

The ingredient list is short, but "Natural Flavor" does a lot of heavy lifting.

• Carbonated Water — This is treated municipal tap water (not spring water) that is triple-filtered and carbonated. Because it starts as tap water, it is more susceptible to contaminants found in city water supplies if filtration isn't perfect. Is Tap Water Safe
• Natural Essence — LaCroix uses "essence," which is typically created by heating fruit skins and rinds to capture their essential oils and aroma vapors.
• The "Insecticide" Myth: You may have heard LaCroix contains "cockroach insecticide." This is false. A 2018 lawsuit claimed ingredients like linalool and limonene were synthetic poisons. In reality, these are naturally occurring compounds found in citrus peels and lavender. The lawsuit was retracted and dismissed.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Zero Sugar/Sweeteners — No aspartame, sucralose, or hidden sugars. Is Diet Soda Bad
• BPA-Free Cans — As of April 2019, LaCroix uses Gen 2 can liners which are BPA-NI (Non-Intent), meaning no BPA is added.
• Kosher Certified — Ensures a level of ingredient oversight.

Red Flags:

• Detectable PFAS — Testing consistently finds low but detectable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
• Municipal Sourcing — You are essentially paying a premium for filtered tap water.
• Acidic pH — Like all carbonated water, carbonic acid can erode tooth enamel if sipped constantly throughout the day. Is Sparkling Water Bad For Teeth

The Best Options

If you want the cleanest fizz, look for brands using real fruit or glass packaging.

The Bottom Line

1. Drink it in moderation. LaCroix is fine as an occasional treat, but maybe not as your primary water source due to PFAS concerns.

2. Don't fear the "insecticide" rumors. The "chemicals" in LaCroix are natural parts of fruit oils. The internet hype was wrong.

3. Upgrade to Spindrift if you want to avoid "Natural Flavors" entirely and drink something flavored with actual food.

FAQ

Does LaCroix contain insecticide?

No. The 2018 lawsuit claiming LaCroix contained synthetic insecticide ingredients was false and retracted. The compounds mentioned (linalool, limonene) are naturally found in fruit peels and are safe for consumption.

Is LaCroix bad for your teeth?

It depends on how you drink it. Carbonated water is acidic (pH 3-4). While not as bad as soda, sipping it constantly all day can soften tooth enamel. Drink it with meals or use a straw to minimize contact. Is Sparkling Water Bad For Teeth

Do LaCroix cans have BPA?

No. LaCroix switched to BPA-free can liners in April 2019. Cans produced after this date are free of Bisphenol-A.