Bug Juice Information
Bug Juice is a Michigan based children's drink company. According to bugjuice.com it is "the #1 children's drink sold nationally", although there is not citation or data to back up this claim. In addition to drinks, the company also sells various promotional items such as backpacks, fishing rods and tents featuring the Bug Juice logo. The company is owned by Joe Norton.
The Bug Juice website features no nutritional information. The following nutritional information has been sourced from the website Fooducate. This website analyzes two flavours of Bug Juice; Fruity Punch and Grapey Grape. Both received a "D" rating which Fooducate describes as "Much Worse Than Average". This is the lowest rating the website assigns.
Foodcuate reports that the Fruity Punch Bug Juice contains 7.5 tsp (29 g) of added sugars per serving (237 ml). That's slightly more than even Coca-Cola, which would contain 7.2 tsp of added sugars in the same volume. The website also lists a number of serious health risks in the drink. Firstly the drink contains sodium benzoate, which helps preserve the drink but has shown to be carcinogenic when mixed with vitamin C, which the drink also contains. Furthermore it contains TBHQ, a highly controversial preservative which can cause nausea, dizziness and ringing in the ears in relatively small doses. Furthermore the drink contains brominated vegetable oil which can cause a build up of bromine in the body resulting in long term harm. Finally the analysis cites concern over particular artificial colourings which have been linked to hyperactivity and ADHD in children as well as posing a risk to those with allergies and food sensitivities. The analysis for Grapey Grape flavour is very similar.
The CFIA confirmed in summer 2020 that Bug Juice is not legal for distribution in Ontario. This includes sale or promotional give-aways. Because of health concerns and legality of distribution, the Brampton Minor Lacrosse Association chose to refuse sponsorship by Bug Juice. Despite this it has been well documented that Bug Juice was being distributed through various means at both Major and Minor lacrosse events. No other governing lacrosse authority has commented in regards to allowing the continued advertisement of an illegal product.