Whole Foods Removes 'Asparagus Water' from Store After Internet Uproar

Whole Foods has often been called out for its high prices, but one new product has taken that to a whole new level—and it’s causing quite a stir.

On Monday, Eater reported that the organic grocery store chain appeared to be selling a product called “asparagus water” at a location in Brentwood, California. What does this concoction consist of, exactly? A bottle of water with three stalks of raw asparagus in it, and a $5.99 price tag. Hmmm.

Comparatively, the article points out, you can buy a whole bundle of asparagus for a mere $5 (and, don’t forget, tap water is basically free).

The Internet, of course, responded in the only way it knows how: outrage and snark.

https://twitter.com/RPGEndBoss/status/628498044221153289

https://twitter.com/knightbeatsday/status/628275582632005632

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In response, Whole Foods issued a statement, claiming it was just one, big (’90s-sitcom-worthy) miscommunication.

“It was meant to be water with the essence of vegetables and/or mushrooms to be used as broth (similar to a bone broth), which are typically made over a long period of time soaking in water,” senior media relations specialist Liz Burkart said to Eater. “The product was made incorrectly and has since been removed from the one store where it was carried.”

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This “Asparagus-Gate” (are we still doing that?) comes on the heels of news that Whole Foods was unfairly charging customers—and the company’s CEOs admitting to price inflation at many of its stores.

—Shay Spence, @chezspence