The Health-Ade kombucha lawsuit most people are asking about is Morton v. Health-Ade LLC, a January 2024 proposed class action alleging the drinks contained undisclosed PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” That case settled in September 2024 on terms that were not made public. Years earlier, in 2019, Health-Ade paid roughly $4 million to resolve a separate set of consumer claims that its labels understated sugar and alcohol content.
The 2024 PFAS Class Action
On January 9, 2024, New York resident Alanna Morton sued Health-Ade in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (No. 7:24-cv-00173). The complaint accused the Los Angeles kombucha maker of marketing its beverages as “natural,” “organic,” and healthy while failing to disclose that they contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of synthetic chemicals that resist breakdown in the environment and the human body.1Reuters. Health-Ade Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Claiming Its Kombucha Contains PFAS
Morton brought two claims: deceptive business practices under New York General Business Law Section 349, and unjust enrichment. She argued consumers would not have bought the products, or would have paid less, had the chemicals been disclosed. The complaint sought class certification, restitution, attorneys’ fees, and aggregate damages exceeding $5 million.2ClassAction.org. Morton v. Health-Ade LLC, Complaint
Independent laboratory testing cited in the complaint detected at least four PFAS compounds across five Health-Ade products at levels ranging from roughly 13 to 76 parts per trillion:1Reuters. Health-Ade Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Claiming Its Kombucha Contains PFAS
- Ginger Pineapple Belly Reset — PFBA at 75.7 ng/L
- Cayenne Cleanse — PFHxA at 44.0 ng/L
- Strawberry Glow — PFBA at 19.674 ng/L
- Mint Limeade — PFBA at 17.982 ng/L
- Pop Pomegranate Berry — 6:2 FTS at 13.26 ng/L2ClassAction.org. Morton v. Health-Ade LLC, Complaint
The case did not last long. On September 6, 2024, the court signed an order discontinuing it with prejudice and without costs after the parties reached a settlement.3ClassAction.org. Morton v. Health-Ade LLC, Order of Dismissal The financial terms were not publicly disclosed.4Top Class Actions. Kombucha Class Action Claims Popular Drink Brand Contains PFAS Because the settlement was confidential and the case dismissed, there is no PFAS-related class claim fund open to consumers.
How Health-Ade Has Responded on PFAS
Health-Ade has posted independent third-party testing results dated April 2026 stating that zero of 40 PFAS compounds were detected across seven of its best-selling flavors, including several products named in the lawsuit: Ginger Pineapple Belly Reset, Cayenne Cleanse, Mint Limeade, and Strawberry Glow.5Health-Ade. Health-Ade PFAS Testing Results
The company also describes production controls it says guard against contamination: certified organic ingredients, stainless steel brewing vessels, glass bottling, water treated with reverse osmosis filtration and tested to EPA standards, and supplier declarations certifying the non-use of PFAS.5Health-Ade. Health-Ade PFAS Testing Results
The Earlier $4 Million Sugar and Alcohol Settlement
Starting in 2017, Health-Ade was sued five times over allegations that its kombucha contained more sugar and alcohol than the labels disclosed.6Food Dive. Health-Ade Kombucha Settles Alcohol and Sugar Level Lawsuits for $4M Two of those cases, Bayol v. Health-Ade LLC (No. 3:18-cv-01462) and Gonzalez v. Health-Ade (No. 3:18-cv-01836), were consolidated in the Northern District of California. The Bayol plaintiffs alleged the kombucha was labeled “non-alcoholic” while containing more than twice the alcohol limit for that designation, and that sugar levels were understated. The suit also named Whole Foods for its role in marketing and shelving the products.7BevNET. Health-Ade, Whole Foods Reach $4M Settlement in Class Action Suit
The court granted final approval to a $3,997,500 settlement on October 11, 2019. Health-Ade denied wrongdoing, and Whole Foods contributed no funds.8Justia. Bayol v. Health-Ade LLC, Final Judgment7BevNET. Health-Ade, Whole Foods Reach $4M Settlement in Class Action Suit Class members were eligible for $4 per bottle purchased, capped at $80 with proof of purchase or $40 without receipts.9Top Class Actions. Whole Foods Health-Ade Kombucha Class Action Settlement Attorneys’ fees came to $999,375, with $14,252.78 in litigation costs and up to $375,000 for settlement administration. The two named plaintiffs each received $2,000 incentive awards. The claim period has closed.
Beyond the cash fund, Health-Ade agreed to reformulate to reduce variability in sugar and alcohol content, to conduct regular third-party lab testing of those levels, and for 12 months to add a bottle warning advising that kombucha should not be consumed if left unrefrigerated for an extended period, that pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a doctor, and that the product may contain trace amounts of alcohol.6Food Dive. Health-Ade Kombucha Settles Alcohol and Sugar Level Lawsuits for $4M
Why PFAS Beverage Cases Are Legally Unsettled
The Morton case was part of a wave of PFAS class actions filed against personal care brands, cosmetics makers, and food and beverage companies, most arguing that marketing a product as safe or natural while it contains PFAS amounts to consumer fraud.1Reuters. Health-Ade Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Claiming Its Kombucha Contains PFAS
These suits are complicated by the absence of specific federal rules governing PFAS levels in consumer beverages. Without a clear regulatory standard, defendants have argued they had no legal duty to test for or disclose the chemicals, and have challenged the reliability of the third-party testing methods plaintiffs rely on.1Reuters. Health-Ade Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Claiming Its Kombucha Contains PFAS Courts have gone both ways, dismissing some PFAS consumer cases and letting others proceed. That mixed picture helps explain why the Health-Ade PFAS suit ended in a quiet, confidential settlement rather than a ruling on the merits.