Poppi sure has become one of the most famous soda brands recently, right? And sure, unlike the traditional sodas that existed before, “Poppi” advertises itself as a soda that can help users in the “gut health” sector through prebiotics which are specifically inulin fiber that can support the good bacteria that occur in the gut, you know? This claim of “gut health” has particularly attracted people who are health-conscious and want a convenient way to boost their well-being. With its colorful cans and catchphrases like “Be Gut Happy. Be Gut Healthy”, Poppi climbed up the popular chart. But then you came to know about the Poppi Soda Lawsuit, and now you are a bit concerned, right? Well, let’s go over the details of it all and see what is really going on.
A Closer Look At The Lawsuit
So, a little back this year, in May 2024 a Californian named Kristin Cobbs, probed a courtroom to make a challenging point against Poppi. And just so you know, the charge brought by Cobbs is quite an interesting one claiming that Poppi’s ginger ale soda which claims to be “gut healthy” is thereby completely misleading. The lawsuit stipulates that each of their fizzy drinks only contains 2 grams of the ingredient inulin which is said to be way less than what’s actually needed to treat the gut, you know? Like, she says that to feel any useful outcomes one will have to overconsume more than four fizzy drinks a day for at least 21 days which would cause you to exceed suggested sugar consumption levels, which would cancel out any good outcomes.
This class action suit asks for over $5 million in damages for consumers who believe they were deceived by Poppi’s marketing. In reply, Poppi has vigorously refuted these charges, saying the claims have no basis and they will fight it.
Does Poppi Really Support Gut Health?
You see, to fully grasp the claims being made, we first need to examine the mechanisms through which prebiotics like inulin are believed to show their effects. Prebiotics are types of fibers that support beneficial bacteria, otherwise known as probiotics, in their role of maintaining digestive health. Like, studies recommend the consumption of about 5 grams of prebiotics daily for adults to see the expected benefits. Nevertheless, with each can of Poppi containing only 2 grams, there are doubts as to whether it alone could significantly improve gut health.
And sure, research has suggested a higher daily intake (around 7.5 grams) of inulin may enhance digestion. For Poppi to contribute this much, one would have to consume several cans a day thus potentially increasing sugar ingestion which in turn could counteract the positive impacts of any gut supplement. For some professionals, the minimal amount of inulin that is present in Poppi looks more like a gimmick of sorts than real wellness available.
Poppi’s Response and Public Reaction
Poppi has been steadfast in its resolve to defend its brand and the integrity of its products in response to the complaint, as you would have already expected, right? So, yes, they’ve recently taken away particular “gut health” terminology that was on their cans and website, affirming that this decision is a typical rebranding procedure instead of an admission of guilt. Though, on social media, Poppi fans have reacted in different ways, ranging from levity to deep anxiety. Like, while some loyal patrons keep up their loyalty to Poppi for its taste and low sugar content, others are now uncertain about the actual health benefits they are getting from it.
This controversy has led to the emergence of online jokes, with some people calling the case “Poppi-gate.”
