Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RD
Image: Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Key Points
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Poppi is settling a class-action lawsuit over its claim that its sodas are gut-healthy.
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You may be entitled to part of the settlement if you purchased Poppi in the last five years.
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While Poppi does contain some prebiotic fiber, it’s best to lean on whole foods for those nutrients.
Poppi, the wildly popular “prebiotic soda” brand that bills itself as “gut healthy,” just agreed to an $8.9 million class-action settlement—and if you’ve bought even a single can since 2020, you might be eligible for a payout.
The lawsuit, filed in May 2024, accused Poppi of misleading consumers with its old slogan: “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy.” The plaintiff argued that each can contains only 2 grams of fiber—too little to deliver meaningful gut health benefits—and pointed out that the drink’s sugar content could actually counteract any positives. The brand denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the case.
Here’s a breakdown of the case and what it means for your health (and your wallet).
Is Poppi Really Gut-Healthy?
Poppi’s marketing centers gut health, partly because of its fiber content. Each can contains two sources of prebiotic fiber, or compounds that help feed beneficial gut bacteria. The brand also boasts that its sodas include apple cider vinegar, contain 5 grams of sugar or less and clock in at 35 calories or fewer.
“Two of Poppi’s ingredients are agave inulin and cassava fiber, which are prebiotics that help feed gut bacteria,” says Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD, a dietitian and EatingWell editor. “While prebiotics are an important component of gut health, it’s better to get them from food sources like oats, garlic, onions, bananas, and asparagus. Food sources have other beneficial vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can support overall health in addition to their gut-healthy benefits.”
The lawsuit focused on whether Poppi’s probiotic fiber content—about 3 grams per can—is enough to make a real difference. According to the complaint, a person would have to drink more than four cans per day to see any gut health benefits, and even then, the added sugar might undo those benefits. It also pointed to concerns over agave inulin, which may cause bloating or discomfort for some individuals and hasn’t been shown to be as effective as other prebiotic fibers.
That said, soda alternatives like Poppi can still have a place in a balanced diet. And here at EatingWell, we believe that any food can fit into a balanced diet in moderation. For people who love soda but want to cut back on sugar, Poppi may be a simple swap fit for doing just that.
How to File a Claim
Anyone who purchased Poppi products in the U.S. for personal use—not resale—between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025, may be eligible for a cash payment.
To file a claim, visit the official settlement website and submit the online claim form by September 26, 2025. If you prefer to mail your claim, you can also fill out the form and mail it to: In re VNGR Beverage, LLC Litigation Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301134, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134.
Depending on how much you’ve spent on Poppi soda in the last four or five years, you might be entitled to the following:
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$0.75 per single can
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$3 per 4-pack
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$6 per 8-pack
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$9 per 12- or 15-pack
If you have proof of purchase, there’s no cap on your claim. Without proof, the maximum payment is $16, and the minimum payment for any approved claim is $5 per household. Payouts will begin about 90 days after the settlement receives final approval, which is expected following a hearing on November 20, 2025, unless appeals delay the process.
Our Expert Take
Poppi’s colorful cans and bold health claims have made it a standout in the booming functional beverage space. While the brand does contain prebiotic ingredients, the science—and the lawsuit—remind us that so-called functional ingredients aren’t always everything they’re cracked up to be, especially if the food or drink is paired with sugar.
For everyday gut health, whole foods like bananas, beans and oats remain the gold standard. But if Poppi helps you cut back on traditional soda and you like it, it’s totally fine to keep a few cans on ice.
Read the original article on EATINGWELL