Health-Ade, LLC makes a line of kombucha or kombucha-inspired drinks. The complaint for this class action alleges, “By branding the products in this manner, [Health-Ade] expressly represents that the Health-Ade Beverages will aid health, i.e., are beneficial to health when consumed.” However, the complaint alleges that this is false or misleading, because the drinks include large amounts of added sugar, which “increases the risk of metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease, and is further associated with increased all-cause mortality.”
The class for this action is all persons in the US who bought any of the Health-Ade drinks, for personal or household use and not for resale or distribution, at any time between October 7, 2017 and the time the class is notified of a settlement or judgment in this case.
The products include the following, in various flavors:
- Health-Ade Kombucha
- Health-Ade Plus
- Health-Ade Booch Pop
- Health-Ade Pop
- Health-Ade Mixers
Health-Ade has marketed its beverages in a way that makes them seem healthy, the complaint alleges.
According to the complaint, “consumers prefer healthful foods and are willing to pay more for, or purchase more often, products marketed and labeled as healthy.” It quotes a Nielsen 2015 Global Health & Wellness Survey as saying that “88% of those polled are willing to pay more for healthier foods.”
On pages 3 and 4 of the complaint are images of the beverages at issue, including various flavors of Health-Ade Kombucha, Health-Ade Plus, Health-Ade Booch Pop, Health-Ade Pop, and Health-Ade Mixers.
The complaint claims that consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks is unhealthy. For example, it says, “Excess added sugar consumption leads to metabolic syndrome by stressing and damaging crucial organs, including the pancreas and liver.” Also, it says, “Metabolic disease has been linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and chronic kidney disease…”
The complaint suggests that juice is one of the beverages that contains high sugar content and leads to greater risk of disease. It reviews a number of studies that examine the connection between sugar and risks of disease, as well as between sugar and all-cause mortality.
Health-Ade Kombucha and Health-Ade Plus contain 12 to 17 grams of sugar; Health-Ade Booch Pop contain 8 to 11 grams; Health-Ade Pop 5 grams; and Health-Ade Mixers 5 to 7 grams.
Because of these significant amounts of sugar, the complaint alleges that the company’s “representations that Health-Ade Beverages are a ‘Health-Ade’ are false, or at least highly misleading.” It claims, “Even if the pro- or pre-biotics in the Health-Ade Beverages are capable of providing some benefit to gut health, because regular consumption of the products is likely to detriment overall health, it is still deceptive for [Health-Ade] to brand and market the products as ‘Health-Ade’ which speaks to overall health and wellness, not just gut health.”
The complaint alleges that the representations violate federal as well as state laws on food labeling.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Health-Ade Kombucha and Other Beverages “Do Not Aid Health” Complaint
October 7, 2021
Health-Ade, LLC makes a line of kombucha or kombucha-inspired drinks. The complaint for this class action alleges, “By branding the products in this manner, [Health-Ade] expressly represents that the Health-Ade Beverages will aid health, i.e., are beneficial to health when consumed.” However, the complaint alleges that this is false or misleading, because the drinks include large amounts of added sugar, which “increases the risk of metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease, and is further associated with increased all-cause mortality.”
Health-Ade Kombucha and Other Beverages “Do Not Aid Health” ComplaintCase Event History
Health-Ade Kombucha and Other Beverages “Do Not Aid Health” Complaint
October 7, 2021
Health-Ade, LLC makes a line of kombucha or kombucha-inspired drinks. The complaint for this class action alleges, “By branding the products in this manner, [Health-Ade] expressly represents that the Health-Ade Beverages will aid health, i.e., are beneficial to health when consumed.” However, the complaint alleges that this is false or misleading, because the drinks include large amounts of added sugar, which “increases the risk of metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease, and is further associated with increased all-cause mortality.”
Health-Ade Kombucha and Other Beverages “Do Not Aid Health” Complaint