Poppi, the prebiotic soda brand that gained fame through "Shark Tank" and celebrity endorsements, is now facing a class-action lawsuit. The suit, filed by Kristin Cobbs in a California district court, accuses Poppi's parent company, VNGR Beverage LLC, of misleading consumers about the health benefits of their product. Cobbs, representing herself and other “similarly situated” consumers, claims that the soda's advertised gut health benefits are overstated.

Poppi, launched in 2020, and quickly became a popular soda-alternative among health-conscious consumers. The soda is marketed as a "gut healthy" alternative, combining fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and inulin prebiotics. The brand promotes the drink as a way to boost the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. However, the lawsuit contends that the “two grams of prebiotic fiber per can are insufficient to deliver meaningful gut health benefits.”

According to the lawsuit, to achieve any significant health benefits from Poppi, “a consumer would need to drink more than four Poppi sodas in a day to realize any potential health benefits from its prebiotic fiber,” which would lead to a high sugar intake that could negate any potential benefits. Cobbs alleges that she “relied” on Poppi's health claims and paid a “substantial premium price” to reap the health benefits, only to discover that the product did not meet its advertised claims.

Additionally, the lawsuit highlights potential health risks associated with Poppi's use of agave inulin and claims excessive consumption of inulin can actually cause negative health effects.

Cobbs and the class of consumers she represents are seeking compensatory damages and a trial by jury, arguing that Poppi's marketing practices are deceptive. The lawsuit asserts that Poppi failed to disclose the true nature of its product's health benefits and the potential adverse effects of its ingredients.