If I remember reading correctly some of the springs Poland Springs uses may be contaminated as they are near gas stations or something similar.
Point is lots of research and personal judgement is needed for everything and it will just use the Hechsher’s resources for something they aren’t paid for. We consumers need to know what we’re buying and complain to the company or not buy a product we think rips us off.
When it comes to beets vs. horseradish is horseraddish actually more expensive? I’d think it has more to do with “lazy labeling” than a conscious effort to mislead the consumer. Unless I’m wrong…