What's the catch with Poppi? A deeper look

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

A recent $8.9 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit has exposed the truth behind Poppi's gut-health claims, revealing a significant catch with the popular prebiotic soda. The settlement follows allegations that the brand’s marketing was misleading, prompting consumers and experts to scrutinize what’s truly in the can.

Quick Summary

Poppi's marketing as a 'gut-healthy' prebiotic soda faces scrutiny following a class-action lawsuit, revealing minimal prebiotic fiber unlikely to provide meaningful benefits as advertised.

Key Points

Prebiotic Fiber Deficiency: Poppi contains only 2 grams of prebiotic fiber per can, an amount considered too low by experts to provide meaningful gut health benefits.
Lawsuit Settlement: A class-action lawsuit over misleading “gut-healthy” claims resulted in Poppi's manufacturer agreeing to an $8.9 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing.
Marketing vs. Reality: The “catch” lies in the significant gap between the product's gut-health-focused marketing and the minimal scientific evidence supporting those benefits from the product's specific formulation.
Potential Side Effects: The agave inulin in Poppi can cause gastrointestinal discomfort like bloating and gas in some individuals, an effect allegedly not sufficiently warned about.
Shifting Marketing: In response to the lawsuit, Poppi’s advertising softened its direct gut-health claims, shifting its focus during campaigns like the Super Bowl.
Not a Health Elixir: While a lower-sugar alternative to traditional sodas, Poppi should not be considered a primary source for improving gut health, a goal better achieved through a balanced diet of whole foods.

The Core of the Poppi Controversy

In May 2024, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Poppi's manufacturer, VNGR Beverage LLC, alleging consumer fraud and false advertising. The lawsuit centered on Poppi's marketing as a "gut-healthy" prebiotic soda and the alleged inadequacy of its prebiotic content. The lawsuit, which later resulted in an $8.9 million settlement, claimed each can contains only two grams of prebiotic fiber (agave inulin). Experts argue this amount is too low to produce the meaningful gut health benefits advertised.

To see any potential prebiotic benefit, the lawsuit alleged a person would need to consume more than four cans daily, potentially negating benefits due to sugar content. This discrepancy is a primary "catch" with Poppi.

Breaking Down Poppi's Ingredients

Poppi contains two main functional ingredients: apple cider vinegar (ACV) and agave inulin.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Research on ACV's benefits for blood sugar or weight management is inconclusive, especially in the small amount in Poppi. ACV can also cause nausea for some.
Agave Inulin: The prebiotic fiber, agave inulin, can cause bloating, gas, and cramping in some individuals, particularly in large amounts. The lawsuit noted an alleged failure to warn consumers of these potential side effects.
Natural Sweeteners and Flavors: Poppi uses cane sugar, fruit juice, and stevia. Stevia, a non-nutritive sweetener, may alter taste perception and increase sweetness cravings. "Natural flavors" is a broad term that can include processed substances.

Is Poppi a Truly "Healthy" Alternative?

Poppi can be a lower-sugar, lower-calorie option compared to traditional sodas. However, experts argue true gut health is achieved through a diverse diet rich in whole foods, not from a single drink. The minimal prebiotic content in Poppi is not a substitute for a high-fiber diet.

Poppi vs. Olipop: A Comparison of Prebiotic Sodas


Feature	Poppi	Olipop
Prebiotic Fiber Content	2g per can from agave inulin and cassava root fiber	9g per can from various plant fibers, including chicory root
Sugar Content	5g or less per can	2-5g per can, depending on flavor
Key Functional Ingredient	Apple cider vinegar (ACV)	Emphasizes a broader range of plant fibers
Taste Profile	Contains stevia, which some reviewers note leaves a noticeable aftertaste	Reviewers generally find the taste is not dominated by stevia
Lawsuit History	Settled a class-action lawsuit for $8.9 million over misleading gut-health claims	No recent settlement for similar claims noted in search results

The Shifting Marketing Message

Poppi has adjusted its marketing. Branding once explicitly promoted "gut health," but this language was removed from packaging and the website after the lawsuit. Recent Super Bowl commercials used more cautious messaging, describing Poppi as soda with "none of the bad stuff" and mentioning the presence of prebiotics.

The brand also faced social media criticism in 2025 for an influencer marketing campaign featuring lavish vending machines, which many found tone-deaf. The founder addressed the criticism, but the incident highlighted a potential disconnect.

Key Takeaways from the Poppi Lawsuit

Settlement is not admission of guilt: Poppi settled the class-action suit to resolve litigation without admitting wrongdoing.
Consumer compensation: Consumers who purchased Poppi between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025, were eligible for payments from the $8.9 million settlement fund.
Evaluate health claims: The lawsuit serves as a reminder to critically evaluate bold health claims by companies.

Conclusion

The primary catch with Poppi is the overpromising of health benefits due to minimal prebiotic content, highlighted by a class-action lawsuit. While a lower-sugar alternative, it's not a "gut-healthy" miracle cure. The Poppi situation is a case study in marketing and consumer skepticism. A balanced diet of whole foods is the best approach for gut health. For details on the legal proceedings, visit {Link: poppisettlement.com https://www.poppisettlement.com/}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Poppi lawsuit was a class-action suit filed in May 2024, alleging that the company misled consumers with its “gut-healthy” advertising. The plaintiffs claimed the prebiotic fiber content was too low to provide any meaningful health benefits and that the company failed to disclose potential side effects.

No, Poppi did not admit to any wrongdoing when it agreed to the $8.9 million settlement. The company maintains that the lawsuit is baseless and settled to resolve the allegations.

Each can of Poppi contains two grams of prebiotic fiber, primarily from agave inulin and cassava root fiber. Experts involved in the lawsuit argue this amount is too low for significant gut health benefits.

Yes, some people might experience bloating, gas, or other gastrointestinal discomfort from Poppi, particularly due to the agave inulin, a type of fiber that can affect sensitive stomachs. Excessive consumption can increase the likelihood of side effects.

Compared to whole food sources, Poppi is not a significant source of prebiotics. A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides a far greater and more diverse source of the fibers needed to support a healthy gut microbiome.

Yes, in early 2025, Poppi received backlash for gifting expensive branded vending machines to influencers during the Super Bowl. Critics viewed the extravagant campaign as tone-deaf and wasteful, especially considering the brand’s image and economic conditions at the time.

Olipop generally contains more prebiotic fiber per can (9g vs. Poppi's 2g), though both offer low-sugar alternatives to traditional soda. Some consumers prefer Olipop's taste profile, noting it lacks the strong stevia aftertaste that some experience with Poppi.