In case you haven’t heard (or do not really care and I get that) Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl Margarita was yanked from the shelves of Whole Foods because it contains sodium benzoate. And in case you don’t know who Bethenny Frankel is she was on Bravo’s Real Housewives of NYC (though then not a housewife or wife) and the author of “Naturally Thin” though you can decide if natural is the first word that comes to mind with Bethenny. Skinny and natural don’t always go hand and hand.
What is sodium benzoate and is it bad?
Sodium benzoate is a preservative, the salt of benzoic acid. CSPI, The Center for Science in the Public Interest, ranks additives and puts it in the “caution” category. The real danger occurs when sodium benzoate is combined with ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C). The two combine to form benzene which is linked to leukemia and other cancers. Many fruits, including the limes in Skinnygirl margaritas, contain ascorbic acid. But Skinnygirl says they use a “miniscule amount” of sodium benzoate. As CSPI points out, not specifically on the subject of Skinny girl “though the amounts of benzene that form are small, leading to only a very small risk of cancer, there is no need for consumers to experience any risk.” You’ve heard me point out that companies justify sub par chemicals saying they are safe at a certain dose, safe is safe and unsafe is unsafe. Plus, neither Skinnygirl nor the FDA knows how many margaritas me or anyone else plans to drink.
Sodium benzoate is a preservative, the salt of benzoic acid. CSPI, The Center for Science in the Public Interest, ranks additives and puts it in the “caution” category. The real danger occurs when sodium benzoate is combined with ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C). The two combine to form benzene which is linked to leukemia and other cancers. Many fruits, including the limes in Skinnygirl margaritas, contain ascorbic acid. But Skinnygirl says they use a “miniscule amount” of sodium benzoate. As CSPI points out, not specifically on the subject of Skinny girl “though the amounts of benzene that form are small, leading to only a very small risk of cancer, there is no need for consumers to experience any risk.” You’ve heard me point out that companies justify sub par chemicals saying they are safe at a certain dose, safe is safe and unsafe is unsafe. Plus, neither Skinnygirl nor the FDA knows how many margaritas me or anyone else plans to drink.
“It’s a very common preservative.”
Beam, the company who supplies the margarita noted that sodium benzoate was “a very common preservative.” Is “common’ supposed to reassure us? This ingredient is commonly used in sodas. It was more common before the FDA encouraged companies not to use benzoate in products that contain ascorbic acid. The companies continued with the carcinogen. Then, a lawsuit filed forced Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and other soft-drink makers to make necessary changes. Other commonly used and crappy things such as food dyes, high fructose corn syrup and textured vegetable protein aren’t healthy or “high quality” as these margaritas claim to be.
Beam, the company who supplies the margarita noted that sodium benzoate was “a very common preservative.” Is “common’ supposed to reassure us? This ingredient is commonly used in sodas. It was more common before the FDA encouraged companies not to use benzoate in products that contain ascorbic acid. The companies continued with the carcinogen. Then, a lawsuit filed forced Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and other soft-drink makers to make necessary changes. Other commonly used and crappy things such as food dyes, high fructose corn syrup and textured vegetable protein aren’t healthy or “high quality” as these margaritas claim to be.
Where are the ingredients?
Skinnygirl’s website states “Bethenny’s Skinnygirl Margarita combines clear tequila, the juice from three lime wedges and a tiny splash of triple sec.” I guess listing sodium benzoate wouldn’t exactly increase the appeal. I checked the bottle for the full ingredient list, which I assumed would contain sodium benzoate, but there isn’t one. If Skinnygirl, as the first paragraph on the site states, “is the margarita you can trust” why not list the ingredients? Hmn, I smell something fishy.
Skinnygirl’s website states “Bethenny’s Skinnygirl Margarita combines clear tequila, the juice from three lime wedges and a tiny splash of triple sec.” I guess listing sodium benzoate wouldn’t exactly increase the appeal. I checked the bottle for the full ingredient list, which I assumed would contain sodium benzoate, but there isn’t one. If Skinnygirl, as the first paragraph on the site states, “is the margarita you can trust” why not list the ingredients? Hmn, I smell something fishy.
The reaction
Bethenny’s reaction also left a little to be desired: “we were bound to piss someone off and everyone loves to try to tear down a success. This is a non-event. I haven’t lost even a wink of sleep.” Whole Foods wasn’t, in my opinion, trying to tear her down, they just didn’t approve of the sodium benzoate. While, I’m sure it would involve a huge expense “we’re looking into this matter and hope to find a substitute” would’ve been well received. VnCCocktails, mentioned in our latest newsletter, doesn’t use sodium benzoate.
Bethenny’s reaction also left a little to be desired: “we were bound to piss someone off and everyone loves to try to tear down a success. This is a non-event. I haven’t lost even a wink of sleep.” Whole Foods wasn’t, in my opinion, trying to tear her down, they just didn’t approve of the sodium benzoate. While, I’m sure it would involve a huge expense “we’re looking into this matter and hope to find a substitute” would’ve been well received. VnCCocktails, mentioned in our latest newsletter, doesn’t use sodium benzoate.
The bottom line
The truth is this is a margarita mix and not a children’s snack or a bunch of kale. We can improve cocktails but no matter how much we love them we shouldn’t drink too many if we want to be healthy. The concept of an improved margarita or a lower sugar, lower calorie cocktail is a great one. Bethenny deserves full credit for refining the recipe. In fact, as The Stir points out the original skinnygirl recipe “tequila, fresh lime juice, and a splash of Triple Sec over ice” is a real improvement over the mixes and sweet drinks used by most establishments. Bethenny’s fans describe her as “brutally honest” and not holding anything back. In the case of the Skinnygirl margaritas, full disclosure would’ve been refreshing.
Have you ever tried or purchased the Skinnygirl margaritas? Would knowing it has sodium benzoate affect your decision to buy a product? Are you a Bethenny fan?
I saw this article and I have to say my first thought was, "shame on Whole Foods"! This made me think that they never look at labels before putting things on the shelf. I mean, I wonder how they even figured this out, and I am willing to bet a customer told them, NOT an employee or a executive. I think it's strange. How many other "Whole Foods" are lingering around that place with unapproved additives? Who knows.
I have never tried this drink but the sodium benzoate wouldn't stop me from trying it. I mean, I won't drink it on a regular basis, by any means, but I typically only have one or two margaritas if any at all. What does bother me is that she still calls it natural. Clearly, it's not. And Whole Foods should know that NATURAL doesn't always mean ZERO additives!
Great post.
Let's also remember that this concoction contains caramel color, which is also suspected of having carcinogenic links. What bothers me most is that we live in a society where you could probably bottle up elephant urine, call it "Skinny Tonic" and have millions of people at least willing to try it out as if it were a magic potion.
I think the biggest problem is the deception. The product should list all the ingredients on the bottle. Then the consumer could decide whether to buy it or not, knowing everything that's in it. The problem with the word "natural" is that it really doesn't mean much…
I purchased a bottle of Skinny Girl Margarita a couple months ago and drank it slowly over the summer. It was nice to drink a little once in a while, but I'm not that much into mixed drinks. I don't think I'll buy another bottle, especially knowing what is in it.
I don't drink, but I always wonder why was Bethenny a housewive of New York while she wasn't a wife or a housewife to begin with? Sorry for going off the tangent.
Gina, such a good point, I hadn't even thought of the "how did the product get on the shelves in the first place" reasoning. Andy, I see your "skinny" point but I feel that this product wasn't just a diet product but presented as natural (tequila, lime etc). That to me is the real problem. Andrea, I think many people will now see this as a product they don't want to buy. I'm now curious about what's flavoring all the other vodkas now.
I didn't know that it was legal to sell products that didn't have the entire ingredient list written on the packaging. This makes me nervous…does it mean that I can't trust what I read in ingredient lists? Was this an anomaly, or is it typical? Very disconcerting, and yet another reason to opt for homemade.
Stephanie, I was at your "place" while you were commenting here, strange. I think it's an alcoholic beverage loophole. That's my thought. Otherwise required.
It is mind blowing that companies use ingredients known to be carcinogenic in their products and justify it with the "safe at certain dose" excuse. I just realized that the lemon juice I bought has sodium benzoate in it =( I guess you pay a price for choosing convenience over fresh whole foods. Back to squeezing lemons!!
I agree Lisa (and fresh lemons taste better), I hope we all get to the point where we see sodium benzoate or caramel coloring and know they are carcinogens. We have to get to know our additives and choose accordingly. was the lemon juice at whole foods?
I am a HUGE Bethanny fan and have really cheered her on from the start! I did try Skinny Girl Margaritas on my birthday and they were fine, but you know, just like your salad dressing post…. why buy a premixed bottle of something and not be totally sure of the ingredients when you can make something just as delicious at home? She certainly is no holds barred in the way that she communicates and that is why I like her, it would have been nice to see someone so ballsy step up, take the signal from Whole Foods and try to make something good out of it, instead of seeing it as a total attack. Whole Foods is a huge account to lose, and one that really makes a statement when lost… a bigger statement than Bethanny could make with anything that she says… she really should be careful.
Agreed Carrie. I think Bethenny's story is a good one and I'm a fan of call it like it is type people. The language on the site is more polished but still defensive and uses the "small amount" cop out. They say they will list ingredients now but I think it was mishandled. Sometimes letting your mouth lead the way has its drawbacks. I'm not sure Bethenny's fan base is the super natural crowd though.
Ok, let me start by saying I love Bethenny (as a reality star). I LOATHE bethenny as a "nutrition expert." Have you read her book Naturally thin? It's basically a great way to tell a girl how to have an ED…"eat nothing, taste everything she sayd." Does that mean…taste and spit? Does that mean severe restriction!? Skinnygirl margarita was a great concept. I don't like that she lied about the ingredients BUT I would say it's probably on par with drinking a diet soda? I'm not a fan of the beverage OR The nutritional profile…38 cal/1 1/2 oz…that's NOT a full margarita, NOR is it low cal considering most people drink 8+ oz/sitting! I just think it's a load of crap. No thank you bethenny! Leave nutrition advice to the RD's who earned their credentials.
"I’ll try and stick to the food/drink part, sorry." LOL! That cracked me up 🙂
Honestly, I think if everyone drank in moderation this wouldn't be an issue and Whole Foods' list can be more extreme that what the research is actually showing.
Erin-such great points. Bethenny as a nutrition expert, sans degree, or any compelling points drives me nuts. I actually find her entertaining but this incident changed my mind. I'm impressed you even took the time to look at her book. Calorie-wise the margaritas are significantly lower than traditional but still.
Not a fan of RHWONY – though I was always curious about Bethany being on there being neither real (looking) nor housewife, nor wife. Things that make us go WTF?
I think it is wrong that beer, wine and liquor have a loophole in which they don't need to list ingredients. Seems like a no-brainer.
I don't trust anything that is labeled "healthy" or "skinny" or "sugar free" because I know that behind the clever marketing is a laundry list of ingredients that are worse for me than the real deal would have been. So, I am not surprised that something called "Skinny Girl" would be chock full of crap.
So many things to consider when shopping, consuming and imbibing! I totally forgot about BPAs when writing my latest post (I bring this up b/c you commented on it and you were right on!). It is a challenge to be even an informed consumer anymore. Thank gawd for nutritionists like YOU!
Great post! I agree that it is the whole "natural" tag that this drink is given. Being as blunt and straight forward as she is, you think this wouldn't be left out.
I tried this recently and didn't like it anyway. But I do have friends that love it.
Such a great post, and your intro cracked me up! Like anything else, the biggest problem here for me is the deception – and people falling victim to the "all natural" claim (whatever that means…). And her response is a bit irritating too.
I've never actually tried the product, but I know a group of ladies from my gym who regularly have "skinny" margarita nights. I wonder if they will even care about this though?
Cameo- agreed. Generally would say "fewer ingredients the better" but when not listed that rule doesn't work. I guess the fewer packaged or bottled foods wins. I don't think it tastes that good either Kristen.
Caitlin, I see that. I think that some "skinny" fans will like it regardless of whether or not cancer comes with the cocktail. Deceptive and defensive not a great combo.
I think there are a variety of products on Whole Foods shelves which contain something unnatural…so I do think that in a way someone was determined to get Skinny Girl out of WF. It isn't exactly in line with their other selections, right? But who knows what the WF buyer was thinking when they went ahead with that one?
In any case, Betheny is laughing all the way to the bank. And is enjoying a ton of free publicity all the way there!
I don't know Ameena. While there are many things at Whole Food that aren't necessarily healthy (organic gummy candy etc), they do have certain standards and this isn't the first product removed. I agree that the skinnygirl line (let's not even start with the sangria) doesn't seem a match for WFM. While I think Bethenny already laughed her way to the bank, I can see this tarnishing the brand in certain circles. There are plenty of circles who will continue to drink it. It could have been parlayed into good PR if Bethenny took a deep breath before reacting. Maybe she needs a cocktail.
I was unaware of all this brou-ha-ha, although I am not so out of the loop that I haven't heard of Bethany. What I love most about your post Lauren is how you pointed out that skinny and natural {and Bethany!} don't necessarily go hand in hand 🙂 Thanks for sharing the potential link b/w benzene and other cancers via combining sodium benzoate and citric acid. I was unaware of this. The first weekend I got my new Vitamix I made a batch of pomegranite margaritas: Tequilla, Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, pomegranite juice and ice. No preservatives and tastes way better than any margarita mixes in my opinion.
I don't think being out of the loop is so bad: I didn't know who she was. Now that I do know, I can't un-know it. Dang it! 🙂
First off I totally agree with Gina (The Candid RD). When I first heard about this "scandal" those were my exact thoughts.
Secondly, over the course of the weekend I finally decided to read up on this a little. I have bought quite a few bottles of this drink over time and am not sure it's something I would purchase again. I think I'd rather go with the original "skinny girl margarita" recipe.
Agreed, I am fine with the cocktail as toxin, do not need additional worries when I imbibe.
I have heard really good things about this drink. I have never tried it myself, but I heard it's good.
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I'm also surprised that Whole Foods did not do their due diligence before stocking Skinnygirl. It's true that Whole Foods does stock non-organic,and even unhealthy food but Skinnygirl is marketed as being natural. So Whole Foods should not have just accepted that at face value. They have a reputation to withhold also.
Coming to Bethenny. I am guilty of watching RHONY and honestly, Bethenny used to be my favorite because she actually has a brain. The other ladies are ditzes and she is not. So I was a fan. She lost me when she filmed Bethenny Gets Married and then Bethenny Has a Baby. She's over-exposing herself while milking it to the bank, but now it's just getting old. I am no longer a fan. This incident bothered me also because she claims to be this nutrition expert and yet she's been fooling her public with the use of unsafe additives. Not cool.
Agreed, doesn't make WFM look that good unless the information withheld from them? Although Bethenny does have a brain she isn't any more of a nutrition expert than you are Sam, not cool either.
I am not a real housewife fan at all. Think they are superficial petty women who are bored with their lives. As for margaritas, I have taken your advice from a previous post…If you are gonna do it make sure it is worth it, so everytime my best friend comes in from hong kong with go to rosa mexicana and get pomegranate margaritas. Definitely not skinny but 3 or 4 a year don't hurt…plus aren't pomegranates good for you?
Wow! Jealousy really IS the root of all evil!
Isn't the issue that it's a mix in the first place?? Here's a thought for getting a "natural" margarita: Walk into a spirits store, buy your own 100% Blue Agave tequila, buy your own QUALITY orange liqueur or triple sec, go and buy your own limes, and make the margaritas yourself. Why rely on someone else, then blame them for it? That's illogical. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and make your own cocktails — leave these mixes alone, no matter WHO they come from.
Never heard of Bethany, but picked up a bottle of Skinnygirl because I liked the bottle. Also liked what was inside, and began to stock up on Skinnygirl Magarita until I heard about the controversy. Haven't bought any since. Phooey! I really like(d) it!
The store was offering sampling of this and other booze. I am health conscious and asked the sales rep if there was any chemicals or artificial sweeteners in it. She assured me there wasn't. It tasted good, I bought a bottle and just now poured my first glass..decided to google the ingredients and this is what i see… as big of a lush I am and though it is pleasing to the taste buds.. I poured it out. I do not foresee me finishing the bottle or buying this line of product again.. if you want a low calorie margarita… order or make a gimlet! The weird metal aftertaste I am experiencing now is a fun side note as well.
I don't know who that broad is, nor do I watch mind numbing trash tv…. I have a life 😉
I use to buy these skinny girl drinks all the time until I realized that they also contain sucralose which is not good for you as well! I pray the change the formulas to include more natural Ingredients.