Popular soft drinks brand Poppi is facing a class action lawsuit from a consumer who claims its products do not improve gut health as much as their marketing suggests.
In a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, Kristin Cobbs said she purchased Poppi drinks on several occasions because of their labels, which say they are prebiotic sodas and feature the slogan “Be Gut Happy. Be intestinal healthy.
But Cobbs later discovered that Poppi drinks only contain about 2 grams of the prebiotic agave fiber inulin, which she said was insufficient to provide any real benefit. Cobbs cited research showing that consuming 7.5 grams of agave inulin daily for three weeks was insufficient to confer any significant prebiotic benefit.
If consumers drink more Poppi, any prebiotic benefits would be offset by increased sugar consumption, the lawsuit claims.
Cobbs is seeking monetary relief for himself and similar clients.
Poppi, based in Austin, Texas, said in a statement Monday that it stands by its products.
“We are on a mission to revolutionize soft drinks for the next generation of soft drink drinkers and we diligently innovate to provide a tasting experience that millions of people have come to enjoy,” the company said. “We believe the lawsuit is baseless and will vigorously defend ourselves against these allegations.”
The Associated Press sent an email message seeking comment to Poppi, which is based in Austin, Texas.
Poppi is one of dozens of brands in the explosive category of functional drinks, which claim to improve health and well-being. Sales of prebiotic and probiotic drinks in the U.S. more than tripled last year, according to data compiled by consulting firm AlixPartners.
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