Olipop Class Action Lawsuit Claims Prebiotic Soda Offers Minimal Health Benefits

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims that Olipop prebiotic sodas are “basically sugared water” and thus do not provide the level of digestive health benefits advertised to consumers.

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The 12-page false advertising complaint contends that Olipop sodas contain only six to nine grams of prebiotic fiber across its entire 18-flavor catalog, which the case stresses is not enough to derive any “meaningful” digestive health benefits from one single drink.

Though there is a substantial range of daily recommended prebiotic fiber amounts depending on an individual’s health status, the case alleges that, even by conservative estimates, a consumer would have to drink two cans of Olipop every day “for at least a month” to notice significant gut health benefits.

However, the filing states that “drinking enough of the Products to obtain any prebiotic benefit also inherently means ingesting enough sugar to negate those same benefits.” Per the suit, each can of Olipop soda contains up to five grams of sugar.

As such, the case asserts that Olipop has deceived consumers by marketing and labeling its products as “supporting digestive health,” in violation of the New York General Business Law.

Related Reading: $8.9M Poppi Settlement Resolves Class Action Lawsuit Over ‘Gut Healthy’ Claims

According to the lawsuit, the massive growth of the multi-billion-dollar prebiotic soda industry can be attributed to the upward trends of overall well-being, health-conscious eating, and holistic approaches to health and wellness. In light of this, emerging brands like Poppi and Olipop have carved out a particularly profitable niche in a market that relies on the perceived value for consumers of increased fiber consumption as it relates to overall health.

In the case of Olipop, its source of prebiotics in the sodas at issue is known as inulin, a dietary fiber derived from plants. The suit claims that, although inulin is a useful substance like many other prebiotic fibers for fueling healthy gut bacteria (called probiotics), small amounts of “inulin by itself” cannot unilaterally “create a scientifically significant positive change” without other supporting dietary lifestyle changes.

“As such, low levels of inulin, like those in the Products, do not provide the key benefits associated with prebiotic intake,” the complaint summarizes.

Moreover, the complaint cites similar studies on dietary fiber consumption that suggest high-sugar intake can alter the balance of gut microbiota, potentially hindering the absorption of prebiotics and mitigating any health benefits.

“As such, drinking enough of the Products to obtain any prebiotic benefit also inherently means ingesting enough sugar to negate those same benefits,” the case argues.

The Olipop class action lawsuit looks to cover all individuals who purchased an Olipop product in New York for personal or household use during the maximum period of time permitted by law.

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