Gatorade's thirst-quenching claims challenged in class action

WHITE PLAINS (CN) — For decades, ads have touted Gatorade’s hydration superpowers, claiming “nothing cuts through thirst” like the famous “thirst quencher” sports drink. A group of disgruntled Gatorade purchasers now say the company’s claims have gone too far.

The plaintiffs challenge new labeling that declares the drink “hydrates better than water,” calling the claim “is and has been proven false” in a federal class action filed Thursday against Gatorade parent PepsiCo.

The lawsuit also challenges labels stating the drinks contain no “artificial flavors, sweeteners, or added colors,” arguing the products likely contain synthetic citric acid, a preservative and flavoring agent.

“Defendant’s representations to the contrary about hydration and natural flavoring are made in order to induce health conscious consumers, like plaintiffs, to purchase these products. However, defendant markets its products in a way which is systematically misleading and false,” the plaintiffs say in their 31-page lawsuit.

Though filed in the Southern District of New York, where PepsiCo is headquartered, the plaintiffs are from Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and California. They accuse the company of “health-washing” its products to persuade consumers to pay higher prices.

“Here, defendant uses false advertising and deceptive conduct which promises health-related benefits,” the plaintiffs say.

Attorneys from the Queens-based firm Yagman PLLC represent the plaintiffs.

Gatorade vs science

The claim that Gatorade hydrates better than water isn’t limited to labels. In an April promotion, PepsiCo plainly stated that some Gatorade products “hydrate better, faster or longer than water.”

Whether the claim is scientifically accurate may ultimately be decided through litigation. Sports drinks contain sugar, carbohydrates and sodium that replenish electrolytes — essential minerals lost through sweat. Health experts say Gatorade can help after intense exercise, but too much can be counterproductive, leading to fluid imbalance and weight gain.

Given that experts say both have their place, whether a sports drink can hydrate “better” than water may ultimately be up to a judge or jury.

Sports drink companies may be well positioned to make that argument, but the claims over Gatorade’s use of citric acid are not new. A wave of lawsuits has targeted products marketed as “all natural” or free of artificial ingredients, despite containing citric acid. While citric acid is an organic compound found in fruit, about 99% of modern production comes from a synthetic process involving mold.

Aspergillus niger, the black mold at issue, can cause inflammation and allergic reactions. The National Institutes of Health classifies it as an “irritant.” Yet the chemical is widely used in food as a preservative and flavoring agent and, according to a 2025 study, is the world’s most consumed organic acid across numerous industries.

Some research has suggested widespread use of synthetic citric acid may trigger “allergic inflammatory cascades” and contribute to inflammation associated with conditions including asthma, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, autistic spectrum disorder and fibromyalgia.

At issue in this and similar lawsuits — involving Goldfish crackers, Capri Suns, Greek yogurt and hummus, to name a few — is whether the presence of industrial citric acid makes it unlawfully misleading to call a product free of artificial ingredients.

A judge in California recently kept alive claims against Cape Cod potato chips that contain citric acid but are labeled as being without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

The case had not yet been assigned to a judge in the Southern District of New York. PepsiCo did not return a request for comment.

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