On May 29, 2024, GR Firm filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on behalf of Kristin Cobbs against VNGR Beverage LLC, the maker of Poppi drinks. The lawsuit, captioned Cobbs v. VNGR Beverage LLC, alleges that the company has been misleading consumers about the health benefits of its products.
According to the lawsuit, Cobbs purchased Poppi drinks on multiple occasions, influenced by the product’s labeling. The labels prominently claim that Poppi is a “prebiotic soda” and include the slogan, “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy.” These claims suggest that the drinks could provide significant benefits for gut health.
However, Cobbs discovered that each Poppi drink contains only about 2 grams of prebiotic agave inulin fiber, a quantity she claims is insufficient to deliver the promised health benefits. The lawsuit references research indicating that even consuming 7.5 grams of agave inulin daily for three weeks does not produce any meaningful prebiotic effect. The suit further argues that any potential benefits of consuming more Poppi drinks would be negated by the increased sugar intake, potentially posing more harm than good.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about the accuracy of health claims made by companies in the wellness industry. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for how these claims are regulated and perceived by consumers.
