A class-action lawsuit has been filed against popular soda brand Poppi by a consumer who believes their products do not improve gut health as much as their marketing claims. The lawsuit was filed by Kristin Cobbs in U.S. District Court in San Francisco last week.
Cobbs, who bought Poppi drinks multiple times based on their labels that promote them as prebiotic sodas and claim to promote gut health with the slogan “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy,” discovered upon further investigation that the drinks only contain around 2 grams of prebiotic agave inulin fiber. This is far less than the amount recommended for significant prebiotic benefits, according to research cited in the lawsuit, which found that consuming 7.5 grams of agave inulin daily for three weeks did not result in any meaningful prebiotic benefit.
In addition, Cobbs pointed out that consuming more Poppi drinks to potentially achieve prebiotic benefits would lead to increased sugar consumption, outweighing any health benefits. The lawsuit seeks monetary relief for Cobbs and other customers who may have been misled by Poppi’s marketing claims.
Poppi, based in Austin, Texas, has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. The company is part of the growing functional beverages category, which includes drinks that claim to improve health and wellness. Sales of prebiotic and probiotic drinks in the U.S., including Poppi’s products, more than tripled last year according to data from consulting firm AlixPartners.
