A can of Poppi prebiotic soda is shown in a photo taken in New York. The popular soda brand Poppi is facing a class-action lawsuit from a consumer who claims that the brand does not improve gut health as much as it claims. In the lawsuit, Kristin Cobbs alleges that she purchased Poppi drinks based on their labels, which state that they are prebiotic sodas designed to promote gut health. However, Cobbs later discovered that Poppi drinks contain only about 2 grams of prebiotic agave inulin fiber, which she believes is not enough to provide significant benefits.
Poppi stands accused of using marketing that suggests its products are more beneficial to gut health than they actually are. Cobbs cited research that found that consuming 7.5 grams of agave inulin daily for three weeks was not enough to confer any significant prebiotic benefit. The lawsuit claims that consuming more Poppi to increase prebiotic benefits would lead to increased sugar consumption, which is not healthy for consumers.
The lawsuit seeks monetary relief for Cobbs and others who may have purchased Poppi drinks under similar circumstances. Poppi, based in Austin, Texas, released a statement saying that it stands behind its products and believes the lawsuit is baseless. The company stated that it is on a mission to revolutionize the soda industry for the next generation of soda drinkers and has worked to provide a great tasting experience for its customers.
Poppi is just one of many brands in the growing market of functional beverages that claim to improve health and wellness. U.S. sales of prebiotic and probiotic drinks have skyrocketed in recent years. Data from consulting firm AlixPartners show that sales of these types of beverages more than tripled last year, indicating a strong demand for products that offer health benefits.