Poppi
Poppi is a prebiotic soda brand sold in flavors like cherry limeade, root beer, and orange, marketed as a healthier cola alternative built around a small amount of agave inulin fiber. It became the center of a widely covered class action lawsuit alleging its 'gut health' marketing overstated what that fiber amount could actually do, given the drink still carries several grams of added sugar per can.
Buying tips
Check the nutrition label rather than the front-of-can claims, since added sugar and fiber content vary by flavor and have shifted in some reformulated batches. If digestive benefit is the actual goal, compare grams of fiber per serving across brands rather than relying on marketing language like 'prebiotic' or 'gut healthy.'
Substitutes
Olipop — 1:1
Uses a broader blend of fibers (chicory root, cassava, Jerusalem artichoke) at higher total prebiotic fiber per can than Poppi, with a similar soda-style carbonation and sweetness.
Culture Pop — 1:1
A probiotic (not just prebiotic) soda with live cultures added after fermentation; tangier and less sweet than Poppi.
Kombucha, lightly flavored — 1:1 by volume
Delivers live probiotics rather than fiber; more acidic and vinegary than Poppi, so cut with sparkling water if the tartness is too sharp.
Sparkling water with a splash of 100% tart cherry or ginger juice — 1 can Poppi to about 8 oz sparkling water plus 1-2 oz juice
No prebiotic or probiotic content, but avoids added sugar and mimics the fruity soda flavor for far fewer calories.
Storage
Store unopened cans at room temperature away from direct sun; refrigerate before serving. Once opened, keep refrigerated and drink within a day or two, since the carbonation fades quickly.
How to use
Serve chilled straight from the can, over ice, or as a low-sugar mixer for cocktails and mocktails in place of cola or ginger ale. Some flavors (root beer, cherry cola) work as a float base with vanilla ice cream.
What it pairs with
Works well alongside spicy or fried foods (tacos, wings, barbecue) where a slightly sweet, acidic soda cuts through richness; root beer and cola flavors pair naturally with burgers and vanilla desserts.
Nutrition
A standard 12 oz can of Poppi has about 5 grams of added sugar and 2 grams of prebiotic fiber from agave inulin. The lawsuit centered on that fiber amount: nutrition researchers cited in the case argued 2 grams is well below the roughly 5-plus grams typically studied for measurable digestive benefits, meaning the 'supports gut health' framing on early packaging outran the science.
FAQ
What was the Poppi lawsuit actually about?
A class action filed in 2023 alleged Poppi's marketing misled consumers into thinking the soda meaningfully improved gut health, when the 2 grams of prebiotic fiber per can is far below the amount used in the studies Poppi cited to support those claims.
Did Poppi admit the claims were false?
No. Poppi settled the case in 2025 without admitting wrongdoing, agreeing to pay a settlement fund and to drop or soften 'gut health' language on packaging and in ads for a set period.
Is Poppi still sold, and is it safe to drink?
Yes, it remains on shelves nationwide. The lawsuit was about marketing accuracy, not product safety; the ingredients themselves (carbonated water, fruit juice, agave inulin) aren't in dispute.
Can I still file a claim from the Poppi settlement?
Settlement claim windows are time-limited and were tied to specific purchase dates before the case resolved in 2025; check the official settlement administrator site rather than secondhand posts, since deadlines have already passed for many purchasers.
Does Poppi actually do anything for digestion?
At 2 grams of inulin per can, effects are likely mild at best for most people; inulin in that small a dose is more commonly associated with occasional bloating in sensitive individuals than with a noticeable digestive benefit.
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