Poppi (company)
Poppi is an American prebiotic soda brand known for its “gut healthy” approach to the carbonated-beverage market. Launched in 2018, Poppi offers a variety of low-sugar flavors, each with 25 calories or less. As of 2023, the company's sales have topped over $100 million with the sodas being available in over 120 retailers. In May 2024, the company became involved in a lawsuit regarding allegations that their health claims misled consumers due to the lack of fiber content in the drink.
History
[edit]Background
[edit]Poppi was initially founded as Mother Beverage by couple Allison and Stephen Ellsworth.The pair appeared on Shark Tank under the name Mother Beverage in 2018. [1]The name ‘Mother Beverage’ was a nod to the raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar used in the soda. Allison had previously worked in the oil and gas industry and initially sold apple cider vinegar-based health drinks at local farmer's markets. After they were married, she and her husband decided to start Mother Beverage in their hometown, Austin, Texas. [2]The company was given a $400,000 investment by shark Rohan Oza, which was used to rebrand Mother Beverage. In 2020, they renamed the soda to Poppi to attract a more youthful and modern audience.[1]
In 2023, Poppi launched their Soda’s Back ad campaign, which boosted brand visibility and in-store sales at over 120 stores, causing their revenue to skyrocket to over $100 million as of 2023.[3] As of 2024, the brand has had partnerships with celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Russell Westbrook, Jennifer Lopez, and Olivia Munn.[4][5] Through their popular social media and their usage of brand partnerships, Poppi, as of 2024, has become the most popular soft drink on Amazon.[6]
Lawsuit
[edit]As of May 2024, Poppi is involved in a class-action lawsuit in California. Brought on by attorney Kristen Cobbs, the suit alleges that the company misled consumers with false claims about the gut benefits the company’s “prebiotic” soda claimed to have.[7] Though the soda does contain Inulin, a naturally soluble fiber, Cobbs claims that the 2 grams of Fiber within the drink is too low to create a meaningful effect for gut health.[8] This lawsuit claims that the company violates California law with false and misleading advertising.[9][2] As of December 2024, there have been no rulings or settlements reported.
Flavors
[edit]Poppi offers a variety of low-sugar flavors, each with 25 calories or less.[9] These flavors are marketed as a “gut healthy” alternative to traditional sodas:
- Strawberry Lemon
- Raspberry Rose
- Orange
- Ginger Lime
- Watermelon
- Cherry Limeade
- Grape
- Wild Berry
- Classic Cola
- Root Beer
- Doc Pop
- Lemon Lime
- Orange Cream
- Cherry Cola
References
[edit]- ^ a b Burns, Emily (December 13, 2022). "Prebiotic Soda Brand Poppi Raises $25 Million Seed Round". WWD.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b McSwain, Megha. "Poppi Is Making Soda Cool Again". texasmonthly.com. Texas Monthly.
- ^ "Soda's Back! Poppi Unveils Largest Consumer-Driven Ad Campaign, Bridging Streaming, Social and Out-of-Home Across Major Markets This Summer". PR Newswire. June 16, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "CULTURE'S FAVORITE SODA POPPI ADDS THEIR TWIST ON A CLASSIC FLAVOR WITH LAUNCH OF NEW CHERRY COLA". PR Newswire. September 3, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ McClelland, Colin. "Making pop history: How a Shark Tank investment helped a prebiotic soft drink go viral". financialpost.com. Financial Post. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Krasny, Jill (April 15, 2024). "How Allison Ellsworth's Poppi and Other Upstart Brands Break Through the Noise". Inc.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Wernars, Breanne (July 24, 2024). "Prebiotic or Placebo? False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Poppi Soda". JDSupra. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Springer, Jon (June 4, 2024). "What's at Stake in Poppi's Gut Health Lawsuit: Viral Soda Brand had been Easing its Health Message in Favor of Lifestyle Marketing". Advertising Age. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Bendix, Aria (June 11, 2024). "New lawsuit challenges Poppi soda 'gut healthy' claims: What you need to know". www.nbcnews.com.
