Poppi Lawsuit Settlement Guide: Are You Eligible for a Cash Payout?

Learn about the Poppi lawsuit settlement, who qualifies for the $8.9M class action payout, and how to file a claim for your share. Don’t miss out on potential compensation!

I remember the first time I tried a Poppi soda, standing in the aisle of a Portland grocery store, intrigued by the bright cans promising “gut healthy” benefits. As a chef who’s spent over two decades obsessing over ingredients, I was curious about this trendy prebiotic drink. Did it live up to the hype? Well, fast forward to today, and a class action Poppi lawsuit has revealed that those gut health claims might not have been as solid as the marketing suggested. Now, Poppi’s former owner, VNGR Beverage, LLC, has agreed to an $8.9 million settlement to resolve allegations of false advertising, and if you’ve sipped a Poppi between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025, you might be eligible for a cash payout. Let me walk you through the details of this Poppi lawsuit settlement, who qualifies, and how to claim your share—because trust me, I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t want to miss out on something you’re entitled to.

What Is the Poppi Lawsuit About?

The Poppi lawsuit started when plaintiffs in California filed claims in 2024, alleging that Poppi’s “gut healthy” marketing wasn’t backed by science. I’ve seen plenty of food fads come and go, and one thing I’ve learned in my 24 years as a chef is that health claims need to hold up under scrutiny. According to the lawsuit, Poppi’s prebiotic fiber content—about 2 grams per can—is too low to deliver meaningful gut health benefits. To get any real effect, you’d need to drink at least four cans a day, but here’s the kicker: the sugar content in those cans could negate any potential benefits. The plaintiffs argued that consumers, like you or me, bought Poppi or paid premium prices because of these misleading claims. Poppi didn’t admit wrongdoing but agreed to settle for $8.9 million to avoid further litigation. This kind of thing reminds me of the time I overhyped a new sauce recipe to my kitchen staff, only to realize it needed a lot more tweaking—sometimes, the promise doesn’t match the reality.

Key Details of the Settlement

• Case Name: In re VNGR Beverage, LLC Litigation
• Settlement Amount: $8.9 million
• Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division
• Final Approval Hearing: November 20, 2025
• Claim Deadline: September 26, 2025

If the court approves the settlement, payments will be distributed within 90 days, assuming no appeals delay the process. Just like when I’m waiting for a stock to reduce perfectly, timing is everything—don’t miss that claim deadline!

Who Is Eligible for the Poppi Lawsuit Settlement?

If you’ve ever grabbed a Poppi soda from a store shelf or ordered it online, you might be in luck. The settlement covers all individuals in the United States who purchased any flavor or package size of Poppi beverages for household use (not for resale or distribution) between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025. I’ve had plenty of Poppi cans in my fridge over the years, especially when my daughters went through their “healthy soda” phase, so I checked my grocery app for old receipts to confirm my purchases. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility:

• Eligible Purchases: All Poppi flavors and package sizes qualify—whether it’s a single 12-ounce or 16-ounce can, a 4-pack, an 8-pack, or a 12- or 15-pack.
• Household Rule: If multiple people in your household bought Poppi, your claims are treated as a single claim. A household is defined as anyone sharing the same dwelling unit, so my husband David and I would file together, even though he’s the one who usually buys the drinks.
• Proof of Purchase: You don’t need receipts to file, but having them unlocks higher payouts. I always tell my cooking students to keep their mise en place organized—think of your receipts the same way. Check your grocery loyalty apps or email confirmations for digital records.

I once tossed out a stack of receipts before realizing they were proof for a warranty claim, so I’ve learned to hang onto them. If you’re like me and sometimes lose track of receipts, don’t worry—you can still claim up to $16 per household without proof.

How to File a Claim in the Poppi Lawsuit Settlement

Filing a claim is straightforward, and I’m all about making things approachable, whether it’s a recipe or a legal process. You’ve got until September 26, 2025, to submit your claim, either online or by mail. Here’s how to do it, step-by-step, based on my own experience navigating similar processes after a supplier overcharged my restaurant years ago:

Step 1: Gather Your Information

• With Proof of Purchase: Dig up receipts, grocery app records, or other documentation showing you bought Poppi between January 23, 2020, and July 18, 2025. Note the number of cans or packs purchased.
• Without Proof: Estimate how many Poppi products you bought. Be honest—overstating could lead to your claim being denied, just like when I tried to “eyeball” a recipe and ended up with a salty disaster.

Step 2: Choose Your Filing Method

• Online: Visit www.poppisettlement.com and fill out the claim form. Upload any receipts or proof if you have them. It’s quick, like prepping a salad.
• By Mail: Download the claim form from the website, print it, and send it to⁣In re VNGR Beverage, LLC Litigation Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 301134 Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134 Make sure it’s postmarked by September 26, 2025.

Step 3: Submit and Wait

Once you submit, the Settlement Administrator (Verita Global LLC) will review your claim. If approved, payments will be sent via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, direct deposit, prepaid debit card, or check, depending on what the administrator offers. Payments are expected within 90 days after the settlement is finalized, assuming no appeals. I’ve learned patience from years of slow-roasting meats—good things take time, but it’s worth the wait.

Payout Amounts

Here’s what you could receive, based on the settlement terms:

• With Proof of Purchase:
  • $0.75 per single can (12 oz or 16 oz)
  • $3.00 per 4-pack
  • $6.00 per 8-pack
  • $9.00 per 12-pack or 15-pack
• Without Proof of Purchase: Up to $16 per household, with a minimum payment of $5.
• Pro Rata Adjustments: If too many claims are filed, payouts may be reduced proportionally to cover administrative costs, attorneys’ fees (up to 30% of the fund), and service awards (up to $15,000 for the named plaintiffs). Any leftover funds will go to a charitable organization.

In my kitchen, I always say precision matters, but don’t stress if you don’t have every receipt. Even a small payout is better than nothing, like salvaging a slightly overcooked dish with a good sauce.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Claim

Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of kitchen mishaps—burned roux, oversalted soups—and filing a claim has its own pitfalls. Here’s what to watch out for, based on the settlement details and my own knack for spotting where things go wrong:

• Missing the Deadline: September 26, 2025, is non-negotiable. Set a reminder now, like you would for checking a roast in the oven.
• Incomplete Forms: Double-check that you’ve filled out all required fields, especially your contact info and purchase details. A half-filled form is like a half-prepped mise en place—useless.
• Overstating Purchases: If you claim 100 cans without proof, it might raise red flags. Stick to what you can reasonably verify or estimate.
• Not Checking Eligibility: Purchases for resale (like if you bought Poppi for a catering gig) don’t count. Only household use qualifies.

I once had a line cook try to “wing it” with a recipe during a busy service, and let’s just say the customers weren’t thrilled. Take a moment to do this right—it’s worth it.

Why This Poppi Lawsuit Matters

This settlement isn’t just about getting a few bucks back; it’s a reminder to question bold health claims, whether they’re on a soda can or a fancy restaurant menu. As a chef, I’m all about transparency with ingredients—my customers deserve to know what they’re eating and why it matters. The Poppi lawsuit highlights how easy it is to get swept up in marketing buzzwords like “prebiotic” or “gut healthy.” I’ve fallen for trendy ingredients myself, only to learn they don’t always deliver. If you’re curious about gut health, I’d recommend sticking to whole foods like yogurt, kimchi, or even my grandmother’s slow-cooked red beans and rice over processed drinks. But if you’ve bought Poppi, don’t let this settlement pass you by—claim what’s yours.

Ready to File Your Poppi Lawsuit Claim?

The Poppi lawsuit settlement is a chance to get a little something back if you bought into the “gut healthy” promise. Whether you’ve got a stack of receipts or just a vague memory of sipping a Poppi at a summer barbecue, head to www.poppisettlement.com before September 26, 2025, to file your claim. It’s as easy as prepping a quick vinaigrette, and you could walk away with up to $0.75 per can or $16 per household without proof. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in the kitchen, from scorching a pan to misjudging a trend, but missing out on this payout doesn’t have to be one of them. Trust me on this one—take five minutes, file your claim, and let me know how it goes. Maybe you’ll use that cash to buy some fresh farmers market ingredients for your next home-cooked meal.

Sources:

• ABC News, “Some Poppi consumers may be eligible to receive cash over ‘gut healthy’ soda settlement”
• Top Class Actions, “$8.9M Poppi False Advertising Class Action Settlement”
• Poppi Settlement Official Website, “In re VNGR Beverage, LLC Litigation”