Beverage brands involved in class actions, recalls, settlement

Beverage class action lawsuits, recalls, settlement overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against A Shoc Beverage LLC, VNGR Beverage LLC and Abbott Laboratories. Companies also recently initiated and/or expanded recalls for a variety of apple juice products and Lactaid milk. Health-Ade recently agreed to settle claims involving its kombucha products. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits allege false advertising. The apple juice products allegedly contain inorganic arsenic, and the Lactaid milk allegedly contains a potential almond allergen. Health-Ade settlement claims alleging its kombucha contained dangerous forever chemicals.
• Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts. The recalls affect consumers nationwide. 

Consumers recently took aim at beverage companies over claims they falsely advertised their products to the public. 

Several companies also recently initiated and/or expanded recalls for beverage products, including a variety of apple juice drinks and five batches of Lactaid 96-ounce milk carton products. 

Health-Ade LLC also recently agreed to a settlement ending claims the company’s kombucha products contain dangerous so-called forever chemicals. 

Accelerator Active Energy falsely advertised as preservative-free, class action claims

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against A Shoc Beverage LLC earlier this month over claims the company misleads consumers about the ingredient contents in its Accelerator Active Energy beverages.  

The class action lawsuit argues A Shoc advertises Accelerator Active Energy beverages as having zero preservatives when, in reality, the drink contains citric acid, which is allegedly recognized as a preservative under federal law. 

“Contrary to the representation on the product’s label – guaranteeing that it contains ‘0 Preservatives,’ the ingredient deck reveals the inclusion of citric acid as the second most prominent ingredient,” the Accelerator class action says. 

Poppi prebiotic soda falsely advertised as beneficial for health, class action says

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against VNGR Beverage LLC in September over claims the company falsely advertises that its Poppi prebiotic soda beverage is beneficial for overall and digestive health. 

The class action lawsuit argues Poppi beverages are loaded with sugar and do more harm than good for health despite being marketed with slogans such as “Be Gut Healthy” and “Prebiotics for a Healthy Gut.” 

“Poppi’s labeling omits material facts regarding the harmful effects of (free and added) sugar on overall health and digestive health,” the Poppi class action says. 

Abbott falsely advertises health benefits of toddler drinks, class action claims

A group of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories in September over claims it falsely advertises the health benefits of its Go & Grow 360 Total Care toddler drinks. 

The class action lawsuit argues Abbott deceptively advertises the toddler drinks as healthy when they allegedly contain added sugars that can harm young children. 

“The nutrient content claims on the product misleads purchasers into believing that the products provide physical health benefits for children under two years of age in order to induce parents into purchasing defendants’ products,” the Abbott class action says. 

Lactaid milk recalled over concerns product may contain trace amounts of almonds

HP Hood LLC issued a recall for five batches of its Lactaid 96-ounce milk cartons over concerns they may contain trace amounts of almonds, creating an allergy risk. 

The recall involves five batches of various Lactaid 96-ounce milk cartons sold across 27 states. 

Consumers who purchased the recalled Lactaid milk product can return it to its original place of purchase to receive a full refund or exchange. 

Apple juice recall expanded to include multiple additional brands

Refresco Beverages expanded an ongoing recall last month involving apple juice products sold at Walmart and other retail locations over concerns they may contain harmful levels of inorganic arsenic. 

The expanded recall now includes 133,500 cases of Great Value, Market Basket, Nice!, Weis, Urban Meadow, Nature’s Nectar, Wellsley Farms, Solevita and Clover Valley apple juices. 

Refresco Beverages initially recalled nearly 10,000 cases of Great Value-brand apple juice prior to ultimately expanding the recall. 

Health-Ade settles claims its kombucha products contain forever chemicals

Health-Ade LLC agreed to a settlement to end a class action lawsuit accusing the company of selling kombucha products containing dangerous so-called forever chemicals. 

A New York federal judge subsequently dismissed the complaint with prejudice by last month. 

Terms of the settlement were not revealed. The judge gave the consumer behind the complaint 30 days to restore the claims if the agreement falls through. 

Have you been injured by a beverage company? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Accelerator class action claims energy drink falsely advertised as containing no preservatives
• Walmart class action alleges store falsely advertises yogurt bites as free of preservatives
• Poppi class action alleges beverage not healthy as advertised
• Food Lion class action claims retailer falsely advertises cereal bars