AUSTIN, Texas — Poppi, the popular Austin-based soda brand that claims it can help your gut health, is now being sued over its claims.
According to the Associated Press, the lawsuit filed in San Francisco's U.S. District Court said the drinks don't improve gut health as much as their marketing suggests.
Consumer Kristin Cobbs said she bought the drinks on multiple occasions because of their label, which claims it's a prebiotic soda with a label reading, "Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy."
But Cobbs said she discovered Poppi drinks only have 2 grams of prebiotic agave inulin fiber, which she claims doesn't provide any real benefit. Cobbs also cited research that said a person could consume 7.5 grams of agave inulin daily for three weeks and it would still be insufficient for any meaningful prebiotic benefit.
The lawsuit also said if consumers drink more Poppi, the prebiotic benefits would be outweighed by an increase in sugar consumption. Cobbs is seeking monetary relief for herself and similar customers.
“We are on a mission to revolutionize soda for the next generation of soda drinkers, and we have diligently innovated to provide a tasting experience that millions of people have come to enjoy,” the company told ABC News in a statement. "We believe the lawsuit is baseless, and we will vigorously defend against these allegations.”
Poppi is one of dozens of brands that exploded on the scene as a growing trend of functional beverages, which claim they can improve health and wellness. Sales of pre and probiotic drinks more than tripled in 2023, according to data from Alix Partners.