A “healthy” fruit drink loved by celebrities is “misleading” customers with claims that it is good for the gut, according to a $5 million lawsuit filed against the company behind the drink.
Poppi soda costs $2.49 a can and has gained a large following, including celebrities such as JLo and Paris Hilton, who have signed lucrative advertising deals with the drink’s makers.
It claims to be “better for you” due to the two grams of prebiotic fiber found in each can, which is said to help stimulate healthy bacteria in the gut that are important for a number of vital health functions.
However, a group of disgruntled customers and nutritionists are now accusing its manufacturers of selling “sugar water” under the guise of a bowel-stimulating drink.
The plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit say two grams is too little to benefit anyone, unless a person drinks about four cans a day. At that point, the 20 grams of sugar (the equivalent of three cookies) would negate any benefit from the prebiotic.
Poppi describes its drinks as a “better for you” alternative to traditional soft drinks and contains apple cider vinegar, a small amount of prebiotics and pure cane sugar.
Paris Hilton is among Poppi’s high-profile fans. As a paid partner, she participated in a launch event in Los Angeles this year.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District Court of California, was brought by San Francisco resident Kristin Cobbs and other clients.
Ms Cobbs claims that she, like many others, was “misled” by the company when she looked for them in the supermarket and may have unknowingly put her personal health at risk, given that too much sugar in the diet can contribute to the obesity. , type 2 diabetes and many other health problems.
the demand alleges that the company misled customers by exaggerating the health benefits derived from the inclusion of agave inulin, a type of fiber extracted from plants and a prebiotic.
It says consumers “were unable to determine that Poppi not only did not provide ‘prebiotic’ benefits to gut health, but also posed digestive and liver problems, while likely counteracting any prebiotic benefits due to its sugar content, when consumed.” regularly”.
The studies cited in the lawsuit note that taking up to 7.5 grams of agave inulin every day for three weeks (which would be equivalent to almost four soft drinks) “is insufficient to confer significant prebiotic benefits.”
“As a consequence, a consumer would need to drink more than four Poppi sodas a day for 21 consecutive days before noticing any significant and reliable ‘prebiotic’ effects.”
The lawsuit cites nutrition researchers who have published findings on the benefits of agave inulin, as well as its harms, with one of the researchers stating that “not only can it cause a lot of gas, but it is not the same as an insoluble fiber.” “.
And one nutritionist bluntly explained that the products “are basically sugar water.”
The U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that men consume a maximum of nine teaspoons (36 grams) of sugar per day and that women limit their sugar intake to six teaspoons (25 grams).
The singer Jennifer López has a partnership with Poppi
The small amount of prebiotic obtained from the fiber in the drink is too low to have any benefit, the lawsuit alleges.
Poppi insists the lawsuit is baseless, saying, “We will vigorously defend ourselves against these allegations.”
The brand was born from a successful 2018 pitch on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Since then, the cans, which retail for about $2.49 each, have held a coveted spot on the shelves of Whole Foods and about 120 other major retailers.
Since then, sales have surpassed $100 million, helped by high-profile celebrities consuming soda, including Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner, Olivia Munn and Post Malone.
Poppi is also experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity.
It is now the 11th fastest-growing beverage brand, surpassing Gatorade and Liquid Death, according to Business Insider.