Subject: General Product Information
Name: Big Asshole
Address: Asshole Ave
City: Worstever
State: MA
Zip: 016**
Phone: 1-900-hot-hott
E-Mail: reallybigass@gmail.com
Product line interested in: Soda
Specific Product: Vanilla Cola - UPC code 0708478764003
How can we help you?
I have been enjoying Hansen's Root Beer soda with my family for a couple of years now. My family prides itself in consuming 90% organic foods and diligently seeks out All Natural products, as Hansen's claims to be. Aside from your root beer product, my family consumes no other soda at all - EVER. This is because my wife and I refuse to put anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup on our table. When we first came across Hansen's Root Beer, we were thrilled and once we tasted it - we were hooked! We still only treat ourselves a couple times a month, but if we have a party or something, we stalk up large on the product.
You can imagine our disappointment when we accidentally purchased your Vanilla Cola (the can looks so similar). Only AFTER I opened the can and drank from it did I realize it was Cola and not Root Beer. It tasted okay, but after inspecting the label I noticed that in fact does contain High Fructose Corn Syrup! What an outrage this was for us. We felt betrayed by the false advertising on the label that clearly states NATURAL SODA.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is not at all natural. If I wanted chemically mutated ingredients in my drink I would save the extra money I pay for Hansen's and just get Coke or Pepsi or some other poisonous product and save significant money.
I am writing because my image of your company has been greatly tarnished and I am very disappointed in Hansen's for falsely advertising a product as All Natural (and charging "all natural" prices) when in fact it contains High Fructose Corn Syrup.
When my children ingested this substance (before I noticed we were tricked) I felt we were taken advantage of in the worst way.
Now, In May 2006, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) threatened to file a lawsuit against Cadbury Schweppes for labeling 7 Up as "All Natural" or "100% Natural”, despite the presence of high-fructose corn syrup. Although the U.S. FDA has no general definition of "natural", CSPI claims that HFCS is not a “natural” ingredient due to the high level of processing and the use of at least one genetically modified (GMO) enzyme required to produce it. On January 12, 2007, Cadbury Schweppes agreed to stop calling 7 Up "All Natural". They now label it "100% Natural Flavors".
I expect Hansen's brand should take that into consideration and prove to be a more responsible company going forward.
Thank you for your time,
Big Asshole
6/13/09
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From: info@hansens.com
To: reallybigass@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:12:00 -0700
Subject: RE: Online inquiry from Big Asshole8675309||772**||9999999
Thanks for visiting the Hansen’s website.
In November 2007 Hansen’s Beverage Company changed the formula and took out the HFCS. We now sweeten our Natural Soda with Real Sugar. The distributors may still have some of the Hansen’s Soda in stock that contains HFCS. There is still stock left and they will sell those first. The transition is still taking place.
We define our products as Natural because we add NO preservatives and use only natural flavors. We are very proud to have removed the HFCS from our sodas and hope that you and your family will enjoy them for a long time.
Thanks,
Lori @ Hansen’s
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Dear Lori,
I appreciate the response from your company, however I must admit disappointment at the attempt to pass the blame on to the retailer. The reason I find that unacceptable is because the can I am holding in my hand does in fact say "ALL NATURAL" in big lettering that is worked right into the logo type on the packaging. Even if you in fact removed HFCS in 2007, you are still responsible for falsely selling the product as "All Natural."
Now that you are suggesting that Stop and Shop is selling 2 year old soda, I will bring this matter to their attention as well and see if I can't confirm that piece of information. I am convinced that there is time stamping somewhere on this can, such as the H723G 20:31 number stamped on the bottom.
This is a higher concern to me now, as it has been proven that soda does in fact have a shelf life, particularly soda that is packaged in aluminum cans. If what you are saying, that 2 year old soda is being sold - I would very much like to be sure I do not purchase any more of this product. The health risks are not worth it.
Can you help me find the date stamp on the can so that I can have it on hand when I speak to Stop and Shop?
Thank you for your time Lori.
Sincerely,
Big Asshole
6/15/09
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Thanks for visiting the Hansen’s website.
In November 2007 Hansen’s Beverage Company changed the formula and took out the HFCS. We now sweeten our Natural Soda with Real Sugar. The distributors may still have some of the Hansen’s Soda in stock that contains HFCS. There is still stock left and they will sell those first. The transition is still taking place.
We define our products as Natural because we add NO preservatives and use only natural flavors. We are very proud to have removed the HFCS from our sodas and hope that you and your family will enjoy them for a long time.
Thanks,
Lori @ Hansen’s
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