'Just so you know, we appreciate logical & respectful challenges to our thinking (and any/all valid information that we may/not have known)! That's the only way our own knowledge base can increase and improve! So we appreciate your 'reasonable doubt' (it's not like we don't have some of our own)...and since we're all striving to get to the baseline-bottom-of-this without assumptions & errors, wethinks posts like yours are not only good, but essential.
Here's a few thoughts that may fit into the equation:
Firstly, wethinks it's safe to assume that the largest percentage of chemicals purchased from suppliers are labeled properly (except in rare/mistake situations)...and what mistakes there are, would be identified fairly quickly due to all the 'checkpoints' along the production line. Example: one barrel that's supposed to be full of diacetyl/similar is mistakenly labeled as cinnamon. Typically, the very first checkpoint in production (just opening the lid of the barrel) is going to alert an experienced mixer to the problem - and on it goes down the production/checkpoint line until the product is bottled and used. Another checkpoint is the end user...after a few complaints, the problem is traced back and identified.
We don't think it's possible that VR/FW has been dealing with 'that type' of a "raw material supplier' mistake for YEARS. FW has always made (for example) the 'most realistic butterscotch' (from hundreds of posts on ECF/internet), and it still is. They're using the same chemicals/formula they've always used (or there would have been a 'collective scream' from the vaping community).
So perhaps their 'raw material supplier' has been slipping/shipping them diacetyl for years, but labeling it 'something else buttery chemical blend'? With no acetyl propionyl? no acetoin? FW's Sarah already told Jonathon there were only 3 flavors with any of the 3 chemicals (in low percentages), but many of us layman can easily taste & smell the dangerous diketones in MANY of their flavors. Our point? ...and we layman are the first to recognize this?
If that's the case, then VR/FW's internal system of checks & balances; regular testing & record keeping is not only pitiful, it's irresponsible and dangerous. And that kind of inconsistency and inadequate testing is not capable of producing a line of flavors that's been consistent for years. Again, the vaping community/users would be all over the inconsistencies...virtually immediately.
So, let's assume the 'raw material supplier' has been slipping FW the mickey (wrong/mislabeled chemicals) - and they've been getting by with it for YEARS. An FDA agent knocks on the door of FW, and says: "There are tests that reveal you're using diacetyl, when you claim you are not, putting the health of thousands of vapers and workers at risk...let's see your purchase orders for the last 4 years. Well, golly-gee...even though it's tasteable, smellable, and test results reveal it - sho-nuf, you've never purchased any. Let's get in touch with the chemical company that's been lying, cheating & scamming you for years, and let them settle it. Whatever they say is 'evidence enough' for us. " ??? puhLEEZ, eh?
Who is the FDA/other authorities going to hold responsible? The same company we hold responsible, and that IS responsible for their labeling & content...VR/FW. They could have tested every chemical & flavor-liquid regularly over the years (as they are likely required to do, and probably have) - or they haven't (or they have, and are lying). And if they haven't (or are lying), they should be shut down immediately & completely.
What it adds up to, to us...is that VR/FW knows, but they ain't telling. C'mon, right? If you were accused of claiming your vaping liquids were diacetyl free, while being handed tests that prove they're not, and you were truly innocent.. just what would you be doing (and how fast would you be doing it)? Right, VR/FW is not doing any of that. A few hundred dollars (or maybe even a few thousand dollars) worth of lab tests on their chemicals & liquids (IF they were innocent) would have cleared their name and erased this issue in less than two or three weeks.
I bit my tongue and when the vendor left I tried my best to point the owner in the right direction for information regarding what is in juice and who he buys from. I do not want to list the name of the juice/vendor but lets just say it has a rather large customer base.
