In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, a consumer named Kristin Cobbs has accused soda brand Poppi of false advertising. Cobbs claims that she purchased Poppi drinks on multiple occasions based on their marketing labels that describe them as prebiotic sodas and feature the slogan, “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy.” However, Cobbs later discovered that the drinks only contain around 2 grams of prebiotic agave inulin fiber, which she believes is insufficient to provide any real health benefits.
Cobbs is seeking monetary relief for herself and other customers who may have been misled by Poppi’s marketing. The Associated Press reports that Poppi is one of many brands in the growing category of functional beverages, which promise to improve health and wellness through prebiotics and probiotics. According to data compiled by consulting firm AlixPartners, sales of such drinks more than tripled last year in the US.
In response to the lawsuit, Austin-based Poppi issued a statement saying it stands behind its products and their health benefits. The company stated that it had diligently innovated to create a unique tasting experience enjoyed by millions of people. However, Poppi acknowledged the importance of transparency in its labeling practices and promised to work with regulatory authorities to ensure its products are accurately labeled.
