The American packaging of Aroy D coconut milk says "coconut milk 100%" which makes you think it is additive free. But it is false, Aroy D coconut milk contains E435 additive!! It is not AIP compliant and anyone with an autoimmune condition or a leaky gut should stay away from it!
I have seen Aroy D coconut milk being praised and recommended multiple times on paleo or AIP websites. Please note that I am not accusing those websites, they have been fooled like anyone else.
A few months ago, out of curiosity I wanted to try this specific brand's coconut milk as it has great reviews. So I first went online to check it out.
As you may know, I'm a French blogger who blogs both in French and English and a large part of my readers are American. So I'm always navigating between American websites and French websites.
Finding out something was odd with the ingredients
When I first checked Aroy D coconut milk on an American online grocery store the first thing that caught my attention was the ingredient listed on the package: "100 % coconut milk".
Well, I thought that was odd. For me "coconut milk" is not a primary ingredient. Coconut milk is the result of coconut and water. So in my opinion you should see on all coconut milk packages at least two ingredients (which percentages vary from one brand to another): coconut and water.
Growing up with a father who is an ingredient expert, I've been raised to read all labels very carefully. He has also taught me to read between the lines, looking for cheats. He raised me to be aware of the incredible amount of fraud in the food industry all over the world.
After checking the Aroy D coconut milk on the American online grocery store I went on a French one. And I discovered that the ingredients for Aroy D coconut milk are not the same. It clearly says: coconut extract (70%), water, emulsifier (E435).
Then I went on a British online grocery store and checked Aroy D coconut milk. It had the same ingredients as in France. And for the UK version it looks like the ingredients are not on a sticker but directly on the carton.
And if you look at this European packaging, it's translated in German and Polish also with emulsifier (E435).
First, I think the ingredient list "100% coconut milk" doesn't make sense. Then I find out that Aroy D seem to have a different recipe only for the US. That's weird.
So I needed to get to the bottom of this.
Confirming my suspicion
I had this at the back of my mind for several months but didn't know how to prove my suspicion. Until last night when the penny finally dropped.
As I was searching for coconut milk for a new recipe I'm working on I came across one of Aroy D coconut milk carton online.
And I saw on the picture that the French ingredient list was a sticker stuck on the carton that seemed to be the carton made for the American market.
Only thing I had to do was go to my local Asian grocery store in Paris and buy a pack of Aroy D coconut milk and see for myself if what I was suspecting was true.
And here is a video of the result, so you can see for yourself.
Aroy D coconut milk contains E435
As you can see on this video, I removed the sticker that had the ingredients written in French on it. It clearly says: extrait de noix de coco (70%), eau, émulsifiant (E435). Which is French for: coconut extract (70%), water, emulsifier (E435).
Underneath this sticker was hidden the American version of the ingredient list: "100% coconut milk". Which makes you think that it has no additives but it is false!
Dear American readers, this coconut milk contains E435 and you are not told about that!!
E435, also known as Polysorbate 60, is used in foods as a stabilizer and emulsifier.
According to the French Federal Union of Consumers (UFC Que choisir) E435 has been pointed by some researches as a potential worsener of leaky gut. It may also contribute to gut dysbiosis and auto immune response.
So, I would recommend staying away from it if you have an autoimmune condition or any gut issues. And if you are following the autoimmune protocol (AIP), as you might have guessed, in reality this coconut milk is not AIP compliant.
I agree with Vani Hari from the blog foodbabe.com, nobody is watching out for you guys! (By the way I highly recommend reading her article Food in America compared to the U.K. (Why is it so different?))
How to try to avoid getting fooled by ingredient lists
First of all, ask yourself if the ingredient list makes sense. Like in this case "coconut milk 100%" when it should be at the very least "coconut and water".
Then, when in doubt, you can explore how the same product is labeled all over the world. Thanks to the internet and online stores it's pretty easy to do that. Even if I don't speak German nor Polish, I can figure out what it says. Before confirming my suspicions with the product itself, I first checked by going online and saw that things were odd.
And of course, you can also contact the brand to ask. The question will then be "can you trust the answer?"...
And if you have any doubts (for example if the texture looks "too good to be true"): don't eat the product.
Please share this post with all of your family members and friends. Everyone should know what they are eating.
Jan
Bea, thank you for writing this. I have used Arroy D coconut milk and cream for years, thinking it was 100% with no additives. Years ago, it would separate but more recently that is not the case, it is blended even when cold. I rechecked the ingredients and it still said no additives, so I thought it was ok. Thanks to your information, I will switch brands. If I eat a large amount of coconut cream or milk, such as when I make ice cream for a treat, it does give me some very mild digestive symptoms. Who knows, that might improve when I switch brands. I've been eating AIP for several years and have carefully been able to add back some foods (some nuts and seeds). I am so careful about what I eat and it is absolutely maddening to discover this unlabeled additive that certainly is not contributing to my health. Thanks again, Bea.
gohealthywithbea
Hi Jan. Happy to hear from you again. Pleasure is all mine. Yes it is maddening to discover something like that. I was so upset about it, knowing that some of my readers were using it, that I completely changed my week schedule and wrote my article like a maniac so that you all would get the info as soon as possible. So I'm happy to hear that you find my little "investigation" helpful. ❤️ Thank you for taking the time to tell me this. Take care!
azi
You made me surprise with American lable, I knew I can not trust FDA at all. They just to make people sick. Almost 1 week I heard about Carageenan and I find every delicious food has that. Heavy cream, ice cream, yougurt, vegan milk and coconut milk. when I searched that brand coconut milk find your information. Thanks a lot. I just bought that brand and use it a lot on my food, also making ginger turmeric tea, and so more. I have too many box now and don't know what to do. I don't want to eat anymore. feel sad about all the lying, marketing and mafia
Kat
Excellent info! I discovered this myself long ago but did not actually have all the details. I only knew they were very inconsistent. I didn't realize how many folks still look at it as a clean product! This is a fascinating read! Great job on all the details. Thank you
gohealthywithbea
Hi Kat. Thank you so much for your nice comment! It's nice to hear that my work is being appreciated!!❤️
Julie
Thank you, Bea... I had mused to myself about if "coconut milk" were an actual ingredient... it's so hard to get real information sometimes! I've switched to Thai Kitchen "2 simple ingredients" coconut milk, but as I live in the US, who knows if it's true :-/. Thanks for your efforts!
gohealthywithbea
Hi Julie. I'm so happy to hear from you again! Thank you for a nice comment.❤️ Unfortunately, fraud happens in the food industry all over the world, even in France.
Anat Dagan
thank you for sharing your research. I always read labels and thought i investigated this brand and love how the milk tastes. do you have a recommendation for another pure coconut milk?
gohealthywithbea
Thank you for your message! Although I haven't tried it because I can't find it here in France, I've heard good things about Native Forest Simple Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk. Be careful if you are on AIP, there's another one from the same brand that contains guar, so make sure to buy the "simple" coconut milk.
Regina
I ordered this brand coconut milk, and started making 24 hr cultured milk because I have autoimmune issues and was looking for a safe milk! Research yielded this brand as reliable, super creamy and healthy. I stumbled across your article, and I am shocked there is an additive in the milk. This coconut milk has made the best, most creamy yogurt- so I'm on the hunt for an alternative that won't be gritty at end result. My can that I bought from USA Amazon states these ingredients; Coconut extract 60%, water. NO mention of any additives or preservatives. How is this allowed. So thankful I found this article.
Paddy McLeod
Hi Bea, so glad I found this article as it cleared up so many questions I was having about Aroy-D coconut milk!!
I started Paleo AIP a year ago, and Aroy-D was one of the few coconut milks I could find locally that I thought was ok! After buying it in 1000ml cartons at local Asian market, I noticed the sticker over the nutritional panel as well as the added ingredient of Polysorbate 60! Disappointed but I have now found Cha’s organic Coconut Milk at Costco which is Paleo AIP compliant as only ingredients listed are Organic Coconut & water!
I have also found Grace Pure Creamed Coconut in international section of grocery store. Ingredients listed is just creamed coconut & it comes in small solid block form. Is this product ok, ie no hidden ingredients?
Thanks again, Paddy
Amy
Thanks for letting me know. I have been using Aroy-D for the last 3 years since going paleo. Disappointing to hear about the misleading ingredient list. Any good alternatives for coconut milk for us in America?
gohealthywithbea
You're welcome. Thank you for your message! Although I haven't tried it because I can't find it here in France, I've heard good things about Native Forest Simple Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk. Be careful though, there's another one from the same brand that contains guar, so make sure to buy the "simple" coconut milk.
Cara
Thank you so much Bea, I am sad bc I just loved that it wasn’t so strong a coconut flavor and so creamy. But it was so expensive to buy. So thank you for opening my eyes to the lie and thank you for the recommendation for an alternative.
gohealthywithbea
Bonjour Cara. Thank you for your message. I really appreciate it. I'm glad I could help.
Jenn
I am SO bummed about this!! Where can we report this? Has anyone contacted the company about this? Thank you so much for this article!
gohealthywithbea
You're very welcome. Thank you for your message, I appreciate it! As I don't live in the US, I believe that I'm not entitled to report this as I am not a victim of this situation. I tagged the FDA on my Instagram post when I published this article. I didn't get any reaction from them. I have no idea what I could do as a foreigner who lives far away. I'm sorry I personally can't do more.
kevin
Hi Bea,
I don't know how exactly how I stumbled on this, but just to let you know, the one we've been using in Canada (Quebec) states 99.95% coconut milk and the rest is Polysorbate 60. Also, it may be interesting to note that you'll get different batches of the same brand in the same packaging from different countries. Sometimes, you'll get the ones from Indonesia (like you have), other times Vietnam, and sometimes Thailand.
In terms of how coconut milk is made, it isn't true that you need "water" as an ingredient. The traditional method is to use the liquid that is in the coconut and strain the soft flesh through a cheesecloth.
Just thought you should know.
gohealthywithbea
Hi Kevin. Thank you for your insight. Yes, as shown in this post, I know that most countries outside of the US get the info on the packaging that this coconut milk contains E435 (aka Polysorbate 60). The problem is not that it contains it, but that American customers don't have access to this information whereas Europeans and, as you confirm right here, Canadians do. I believe everyone should know what they are buying and be able to choose a product consequently. Especially, when an ingredient is controversial and could possibly arm their health. And whether they use water or coconut water to make coconut milk, these should be listed in the ingredient list because, again, coconut milk is not a primary ingredient: it is made from something. So even if a brand makes coconut milk using the traditional method they still have to list "coconut + coconut water" (or "coconut + liquid contained in the coconut" if you prefer to call it that way).
Ray
I just checked my 1000ml carton that is from Thailand and it says 'coconut milk 100%'. There is no sticker so it looks like they have a special carton made for the American market. BTW, for some reason it has not been available for the last month or so in the local Asian markets, so I have had to resort to getting some cans instead.
RC
I just checked after finding this page & I also have a1-litre carton of Aroy D coconut milk in my cabinet that only says "coconut milk 100%" on the ingredients list. There are no stickers on the carton & it has Thai writing as well as as English text. But here's a reliable work-around: I stopped buying coconut milk last year & have been exclusively using Aroy D coconut cream. It comes in the big 1-litre cartons but is also available in small 8.5 oz. (250ml) cartons. If you buy the little cartons online, they are sold as a 6-pack. The label on the coconut cream is in Thai & English, no stickers anywhere & the only ingredient is coconut cream. The carton also states Product of Indonesia on the label. The big cartons of coconut cream will be 70-75% cream with the remaining coconut milk at the bottom of the carton. Coconut cream makes It makes a great dairy-free substitute for heavy cream. Just put the carton in the refrigerator overnight to let the cream rise to the top & harden. Take it out15.min or so before you're ready to use it, cut the top of the carton away with a pair of scissors, then scoop out the solidified cream. Coconut milk doesn't work when you need coconut cream, there's no way to make it thicker. But if If you're making curry or a sauce for dessert & want to thin it out, just dilute the coconut cream with a little water. I live in the US & get my Aroy D coconut cream om from the Import Food website. Amazon also sells it & even Walmart has it on occasion.