The Gatorade Company and PepsiCo, Inc.
Gatorade Sued Over 'No Artificial Flavors' and Hydration Claims
A proposed class action claims PepsiCo and Gatorade mislead buyers with 'hydrates better than water' and 'no artificial flavors' label claims. Five plaintiffs are suing on behalf of consumers nationwide.
Key facts
- Claim deadline
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Plain-language overview
Who may qualify?
Eligibility depends on the dates, products, locations, and other terms listed for this claim. Review any criteria below and the official terms before deciding whether it may apply to you.
- You must have purchased classic Gatorade or Reduced Sugar Gatorade products.
- You must have relied on the representations on the product’s packaging — such as the “Hydrates Better Than Water” claim or the “No Artificial Flavors, Sweeteners, or Colors from Artificial Sources” claim — when making your purchase.
- You must have purchased the products for personal use, not for resale.
Case overview
What this settlement is about
Five plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit accusing PepsiCo and The Gatorade Company of false and misleading advertising tied to two label claims. First, the suit challenges Gatorade's claim that it "hydrates better than water," alleging this statement has been proven false. Second, it targets Reduced Sugar Gatorade's claim of having "no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors from artificial sources," arguing this is false because the product contains citric acid — an ingredient that, according to the complaint, is commercially manufactured more than 99% of the time through a processed derivative of black mold (Aspergillus niger), making it artificial rather than natural. Based on these allegations, the lawsuit brings ten causes of action, including violations of consumer protection laws in New York, California, Illinois, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, along with claims for false advertising, breach of warranty, failure to warn, and unjust enrichment.
