A controversial sign in Arlington challenges the healthiness of snow cones, sparking social media debate as customers continue to flock to MC Snow Cones.
ARLINGTON, Texas — A sign in the 300 block of North Cooper Street in Arlington is drawing attention and sparking debate. It references a popular hot weather treat enjoyed by both kids and adults. Some people have even stopped to snap photos of it.
“I saw it on a Facebook post,” said Benekia McFarland, a snow cone customer.
The sign has received lots of attention on social media. It’s posted next to MC Snow Cones, where customers like McFarland continue to visit.
“I got the Piccadilly. It’s a mango-flavored snow cone. It has Picus, Chilito, and chamoyada on top,” McFarland said.
The sign claims snow cones have no nutrition and are very unhealthy, ending with the message: “Just say no to snow.”
But McFarland said, “It didn’t sway me one way or another. You see, I still pulled up and got my snow cone.”
It’s a go-to spot for her entire family, especially when the temperatures in Arlington get hot and they want something cold to cool them off.
MC Snow Cones has been the family business of retired schoolteacher Lupita Hernandez since 2001.
“I love our customers,” Hernandez said. “We started with just the shaved ice.”
Hernandez joined her husband to help run the business, which has helped them finance their children’s educations. They also have locations on West Airport Freeway in Irving and on West Pipeline Road in Hurst. There is also an MC Snow Cone Food Truck, a local company or organization that can be requested for events.
Since the sign went up, the owners say they’ve been under pressure.
“It’s very stressful. I’m not a bad person,” said Hernandez.
The sign was put up by neighboring property owner Greg Carey, who says snow cones and other foods contain synthetic dyes.
“I put boxes of cereal, and there are drinks and all types of food that have these synthetic dyes,” Carey said.
Hernandez says MC Snow Cones buys its ingredients from manufacturers.
“They will ask which ones are dye free, and I will tell them the choices, and they make their choice,” said Hernandez.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is phasing out all petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026.
“I have called all my places that we get our syrups from, and they are all working on new formulas, so once they have the new ones, we will buy the new ones,” said Hernandez.
“Eighteen months from now, that’s a long time,” said Carey, who also erected a large cross on his property. When it comes to eliminating food dyes, his message is: “Do it now. Do it sooner, not later.”
Greg Carey told WFAA that after doing his research, he and his wife read more labels when buying groceries. What they have learned, he says, has even impacted what they already had at home, too.
“We have thrown away about 15 different things in our food pantry that we read on the labels,” said Carey. “So, we’re going through and we’re looking for red 40 and blue dye five and six. And we’re looking for yellow number one.”
“I encourage all snow cone manufacturers because we’re thinking there couldn’t be any more anything more harmful than a snow cone with ice, sugar, high fructose corn syrup mixed with the synthetic dyes,” said Carey. “A cereal box can have maybe a small amount, but a snow cone, it’s going to have several ounces of this in it for one child to drink.”
MC Show Cones added to the menu to give customers more than just flavored shaved ice. The menu included sugar-free flavors, fresh fruit toppings, and snack foods, along with items that have no dye in them, according to the owners.
“I do have natural flavors, and I do have dye-free,” said Hernandez.