Health-Ade Kombucha Lawsuit, PFAS Forever Chemicals, Sugar Claims, and What Happened to Each Case

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against federal court records, the Multnomah County Circuit Court complaint, and verified reporting from Reuters, Bloomberg Law, and Courthouse News Service on May 11, 2026. Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Health-Ade Kombucha is a California-based beverage brand that markets its drinks with phrases like “happy gut,” “organic,” and “natural.” Between 2018 and 2024, the company faced multiple class action lawsuits — including one alleging its products contained toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” despite being marketed as a health drink. All three cases are now resolved. No open claim form exists. This article explains what each lawsuit alleged and what happened.

Health-Ade Kombucha Lawsuits: Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Company	Health-Ade LLC, Los Angeles, California
Lawsuits Filed	2018, 2021, January 9, 2024
Allegations	PFAS contamination; misleading health claims; alcohol and sugar mislabeling
PFAS Case Status	Privately settled — September 2024 — case dismissed with prejudice
Sugar False Advertising Case	Voluntarily dismissed — March 2023
2019 Alcohol/Sugar Settlement	Finally approved — $3,997,500 paid out — closed
Claim Deadline	All deadlines closed — no open claim form exists
Court (PFAS case)	U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Court (2019 case)	U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Last Updated	May 11, 2026

The PFAS Lawsuit Against Health-Ade Kombucha — Morton v. Health-Ade LLC

On January 9, 2024, a New York resident named Alanna Morton filed a proposed class action in Manhattan federal court, claiming Health-Ade misled consumers by marketing its kombucha as a health product even though it tested positive for dangerously high levels of PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The lawsuit identified five specific products: Ginger Pineapple Belly Reset, Mint Limeade, Cayenne Cleanse, Pomegranate Berry, and Strawberry Glow with Bamboo Extract and Biotin. Morton said she would not have purchased the drinks had she known they contained PFAS.

PFAS are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used in products like non-stick pans and stain-resistant clothing. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of thyroid disease and asthma. The lawsuit argued that no reasonable consumer would expect a product marketed for gut health to contain these chemicals.

Morton asserted claims under New York General Business Law and unjust enrichment, on behalf of both a nationwide class and a New York subclass. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel in the Southern District of New York, Case No. 7:24-cv-00173.

This type of false advertising class action has become increasingly common in the food and beverage space. For a similar active case involving misleading product labeling, see our coverage of the David Protein Bar false advertising class action currently pending in New York federal court.

How the PFAS Case Was Resolved

After Health-Ade filed an amended complaint and the company attempted to have the suit dismissed, the parties jointly notified the court on September 5, 2024 that they had resolved the case privately and would be filing a request for dismissal.

The terms of the settlement were never publicly disclosed. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel dismissed the case with prejudice — meaning it cannot be reopened — and gave the parties 30 days to complete the private settlement terms.

Because the settlement was private and not court-supervised as a class settlement, no public claim process opened and no claim deadline was ever announced. If you purchased one of the affected Health-Ade products and were hoping to file a claim, that window has closed. Consumers who believe they suffered health harm from PFAS exposure may want to consult a consumer rights lawyer about individual options.

Are You Part of the Health-Ade PFAS Lawsuit?

Because this case settled privately — not as a certified class action — no class was formally defined and no notice was sent to consumers. Here is what that means for you:

• You may have been affected if you purchased any of the five named Health-Ade products — Ginger Pineapple Belly Reset, Mint Limeade, Cayenne Cleanse, Pomegranate Berry, or Strawberry Glow — during the relevant purchase period
• You are not eligible to file a claim — the case is over and no public claims process was established
• If you experienced health issues you believe are linked to PFAS exposure from these products, speak with a data privacy attorney or personal injury attorney directly — a separate individual claim may still be possible depending on your circumstances and your state’s statute of limitations

Related article: $15 Million Dua Lipa vs. Samsung Electronics Right Of Publicity Lawsuit, Claiming  Samsung Used Her Photo on TV Boxes Without Permission

The Earlier Health-Ade Lawsuits: Sugar and Alcohol Claims

Health-Ade faced legal action well before the PFAS case.

2019 — Alcohol and Sugar Mislabeling Settlement ($3,997,500)

Health-Ade agreed to pay $4 million to settle two lawsuits alleging inconsistencies between the sugar and alcohol levels in its drinks and what was stated on the label. A California court approved the settlement. Class members received a full cash refund for up to 10 bottles without proof of purchase, or up to 20 bottles with proof of purchase. That settlement is fully paid out and closed.

2021 — False Advertising / High Sugar Content Lawsuit

A second California class action filed in October 2021 alleged Health-Ade falsely advertised its drinks as healthy when the high sugar content — comprising 50 to 91 percent of total calories — actually increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. The two plaintiffs, Brandon Johnson-Jack and Michael Xavier, voluntarily dismissed their claims in March 2023. No settlement fund was created and no consumers received payments from this case.

Health-Ade Lawsuits: Full Timeline

Milestone	Date
Alcohol/sugar mislabeling lawsuits filed	2018
$3,997,500 settlement approved by California court	October 2019
Payments distributed to class members	Early 2020
Sugar/false advertising class action filed in California	October 2021
Sugar lawsuit voluntarily dismissed by plaintiffs	March 2023
PFAS class action filed in S.D.N.Y. (Morton v. Health-Ade)	January 9, 2024
Parties reach private settlement	September 5, 2024
Case dismissed with prejudice by Judge Seibel	September 6, 2024
Status today	All cases closed — no open claims

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an active class action lawsuit against Health-Ade Kombucha right now? 

No. The most recent lawsuit — the PFAS case filed in January 2024 — was privately settled and dismissed with prejudice in September 2024. No new class action against Health-Ade is currently pending based on available public records as of May 2026.

Can I still file a claim from the Health-Ade PFAS settlement? 

No. The PFAS case settled privately, which means no public claim process was ever established. The court dismissed the case. There is no claim form and no administrator accepting submissions.

What PFAS levels were found in Health-Ade kombucha? 

The lawsuit relied on independent laboratory testing of five Health-Ade products that allegedly showed dangerously high levels of PFAS. The complaint described these chemicals as substances “humans should never ingest.” Health-Ade did not publicly confirm or deny the test results and settled without admitting wrongdoing.

Did Health-Ade admit wrongdoing in any of these lawsuits? 

No. Health-Ade denied any wrongdoing in the 2019 alcohol and sugar settlement, agreeing to pay to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation. The PFAS case also settled privately with no public admission of liability.

How much did Health-Ade pay to settle the 2019 lawsuit? 

Health-Ade paid $3,997,500 to resolve two lawsuits over sugar and alcohol levels. Class members received cash refunds of $20 to $80 depending on whether they had proof of purchase.

What should I do if I think I was harmed by PFAS in Health-Ade kombucha?

 The class action is closed, but individual legal options may still exist. If you experienced a health condition you believe is connected to PFAS exposure, speak with a consumer rights lawyer for a free legal consultation. Most handle these cases on a contingency basis — no fee unless they win.

Is Health-Ade kombucha still being sold? 

Yes. Health-Ade continues to sell its products. No court order or regulatory action has required the company to remove products from shelves. The CDC and EPA have issued general guidance on PFAS but have not taken enforcement action specifically against Health-Ade.

Sources & References

• Bloomberg Law — Health-Ade Sued Over Alleged Harmful PFAS in Kombucha Drinks (January 11, 2024): news.bloomberglaw.com
• U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y. — Morton v. Health-Ade LLC, Case No. 7:24-cv-00173

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.