The owner of the East Coast's largest manufacturer of maraschino cherries fatally shot himself today after authorities found evidence of a massive drug operation inside his office and processing plant.The New York Daily News reports that Arthur Mondella, a father and longtime owner of Brooklyn-basedDell's Maraschino Cherries, ended his life after hours of cooperating with authorities who were sniffing around for a drug connection.
Dell's Maraschino Cherries, which was established in 1948, produces co*cktail cherries for bars and restaurants across the country, including big name brands like TGI Fridays, Red Lobster, Buffalo Wild Wings, Casears Entertainment, Steak 'n Shake, Chick-fil-A, and Checkers. Company operations have been temporarily halted until further notice. The investigation is ongoing.
Earlier today, police uncovered "three bags containing about 80 pounds of pot" at the facility. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and more than a few unidentifiable vehicles were also found on the property. Back in November, Mondella told the NYDN that his business was suffering: "We felt we had to do something to kick-start sales."
But authorities didn't suspect any major foul play until they noticed that one of the walls in Mondella's office was a false wall or possible secret door to a private room. It is not yet known what was behind the wall, but Mondella ended his life shortly after authorities discovered the wall. An official told the NYDN, "I don't think you kill yourself over a bag of weed. There has to be more to it."
The company has not released a statement. It is unclear ifDell's Maraschino Cherries, which had recently undergone an extensive renovation andrebranding, will continue business as usual or if bartenders and sundae makers across the countrywill be ordering a different brand of co*cktail cherries in the foreseeable future.
FAQs
That Supplied Chick-fil-A, TGI Fridays, & Caesars Was Also Dealing Drugs. The owner of the East Coast's largest manufacturer of maraschino cherries fatally shot himself today after authorities found evidence of a massive drug operation inside his office and processing plant.
What is the controversy with maraschino cherries? ›
Maraschino cherries are artificially dyed with Red 40 to make them very bright red. This dye contains small amounts of the known carcinogen benzidine ( 34 , 35 ).
What's wrong with maraschino cherries? ›
However, Maraschino cherries are not as healthy (because they are heavily processed and sweetened) as their raw counterparts because they lose a significant amount of their nutritional value. Maraschino cherries have almost three times as much sugar as raw cherries, which is added sugar.
What is the history of the maraschino cherry? ›
The name maraschino originates from the marasca cherry of Croatian origin and the maraschino liqueur made from it, in which marasca cherries were crushed and preserved after being pickled. Whole cherries preserved in this liqueur were known as "maraschino cherries".
Is maraschino cherry fake? ›
Are Maraschino Cherries Real? Maraschino cherries begin as regular cherries before undergoing the treatment that adds preservatives and sugar to give them their unique taste. So, yes, maraschino cherries are crafted from real cherries. First, they get soaked in a brine solution with calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide.
Are maraschino cherries still made with formaldehyde? ›
An urban myth prevented me early on from eating them – word got around they were preserved in formaldehyde and could not be digested. Not quite, as it turns out. The cherries are actually preserved in sodium metabisulfate, calcium chloride and citric acid and subsequently dyed those alarming shades of red and green.
Why are maraschino cherries banned in UK? ›
Maraschino Cherries
They contain red 40, a dye that's banned in places like the UK and Switzerland. Some people suffer from allergic reactions when they eat the dye, which is why some countries have decided that it's just not worth the risk.
What bugs are in maraschino cherries? ›
Brined and maraschino cherries
An average of five percent or more cherries are said to carry maggots. Think about that next time you pop one into your mouth!
Why are maraschino cherries banned in other countries? ›
Maraschino Cherries: Contain Red 40 dye, linked to allergies and mental disorders in children, and are banned in countries like Austria, France, Finland, Norway, and the UK. Farmed Salmon: Banned in Austria and New Zealand due to conditions in which they are raised and the chemicals in their feed.
Why did McDonald's get rid of maraschino cherries? ›
The company has hinted that it was due to a lack of consumer demand, saying that 49% of customers asked to “hold the cherries.”
4. They're made in the most horrifying way. Typically, fresh Royal cherries are bleached with calcium chloride and sulfur dioxide until they turn yellow and lose their natural flavor (WHY?!). Then they're marinated in high fructose corn syrup and Red #4 food coloring for upwards of three weeks.
Can dogs eat maraschino cherries? ›
You should not feed any kind of cherry to a dog. There are many different types of cherries out there, including bing, rainier, black and maraschino. Although maraschino cherries don't have a pit, they contain a lot of sugar, which isn't suitable for dogs.
How many years does it take to digest a maraschino cherry? ›
Does a maraschino cherry stay in your stomach for seven years? Uhm, no. That's another one of those weird urban myths you don't need to worry about any more. You digest maraschinos just as you would any other fruit or candy.
Where are maraschino cherries banned? ›
Maraschino Cherries
“Red 40 has been linked to allergies, migraine, and mental disorders in children.” Why would we EVER give our children food items with Red 40? Maraschino cherries are banned in Austria, France, Finland, Norway and the UK.
What are the side effects of red cherries? ›
Intestinal gas, cramps and bloating are other common side effects caused by consuming immoderate amounts of cherries. Cherries do not contain many essential vitamins and minerals and so cannot be used as a replacement for other nutrition-rich foods.
Why are maraschino cherries so expensive? ›
They are pricey because Luxardo uses marasca cherries, a particular type of cherry that's only grown in northeastern Italy. It's an uncommon variety and is therefore more expensive. Luxardo also uses high-quality ingredients and an age-old candying process, which pushes up the cost.
What countries are maraschino cherries banned in? ›
Maraschino Cherries: Contain Red 40 dye, linked to allergies and mental disorders in children, and are banned in countries like Austria, France, Finland, Norway, and the UK. Farmed Salmon: Banned in Austria and New Zealand due to conditions in which they are raised and the chemicals in their feed.
Do maraschino cherries stay in your stomach for 7 years? ›
Does a maraschino cherry stay in your stomach for seven years? Uhm, no. That's another one of those weird urban myths you don't need to worry about any more. You digest maraschinos just as you would any other fruit or candy.
Why not refrigerate maraschino cherries? ›
Some oppose refrigeration because it can cause the co*cktail cherry syrup to thicken. Added directly to the glass, the cherries will bring a big pool of syrup with them, contributing more sweetness to the co*cktail than you might desire.
