Snapple Lawsuit: “All Natural” Label Questioned Over Synthetic Ingredients

Case Overview: A class action alleges Snapple drinks are falsely marketed as “all natural” despite containing synthetic citric acid.

Consumers Affected: Shoppers nationwide who purchased Snapple beverages labeled “all natural.”

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

A new class action lawsuit claims that Keurig Dr Pepper, the company behind Snapple, falsely markets several of its drinks as “all natural” despite including synthetic ingredients.

Plaintiff Kesha Peters filed the complaint in New York federal court, alleging that Snapple’s “all natural” branding deceives shoppers who expect beverages free from artificial substances. 

The lawsuit says that Snapple products, including its Peach Tea, contain synthetic citric acid, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies as an artificial additive rather than a natural ingredient.

Peters says she bought a bottle of Snapple Peach Tea for $1.49 at a C-Town supermarket in Brooklyn, relying on the product’s “all natural” claim. She alleges she would not have purchased the beverage—or would have paid less—if the label had accurately reflected its ingredients.

Lawsuit Says “All Natural” Label Misleads Shoppers

The complaint argues that the “all natural” statement printed on Snapple’s packaging misleads consumers into believing the product is made entirely from natural sources. Peters contends that the inclusion of synthetic citric acid contradicts the brand’s marketing and violates state and federal consumer protection laws.

According to the lawsuit, the FDA has previously sent warning letters to other companies using similar “all natural” language on products containing citric acid. The agency considers citric acid synthetic when it is industrially produced through fermentation and chemical processing, rather than derived directly from citrus fruits.

The plaintiff says Snapple benefits financially from the “all natural” label because consumers associate that phrase with purity, safety, and healthfulness. By promoting its beverages in that way, the company can charge more compared to other tea and juice drinks containing similar ingredients but without the “natural” marketing.

Consumer Claims She Was Misled at the Point of Sale

Peters alleges that like many shoppers, she trusted the language on the bottle and did not have the time or expertise to evaluate every ingredient on the label. She argues that a reasonable consumer would assume a drink labeled “all natural” does not contain synthetic chemicals, preservatives, or flavor enhancers.

The lawsuit claims this assumption influenced Peters’s purchasing decision and those of many others. It also alleges that Keurig Dr Pepper’s marketing was designed to take advantage of growing consumer demand for natural products.

Other Beverage Companies Face Similar Lawsuits Over “Natural” Branding

The Snapple case reflects a pattern of consumer lawsuits challenging how beverage companies use marketing terms such as “natural” or “100% juice.” Courts around the country have seen similar filings in recent months.

In one example, Langers faces claims that its Concord Grape 100% Juice misleads shoppers by including ascorbic acid and citric acid, both synthetic additives, despite its “100% Juice” label.

Another lawsuit targets Coca-Cola, alleging that Sprite and Fanta sodas are promoted as having “100% Natural Flavors” even though they contain industrially manufactured citric acid.

These cases center on whether terms like “natural” create false impressions about ingredient sourcing, especially when products rely on processed additives that occur only through laboratory production.

In the Snapple lawsuit, Peters seeks to represent a nationwide class of individuals who purchased Snapple drinks labeled “all natural” during the applicable statute of limitations. She is requestings damages, restitution, and an injunction requiring Keurig Dr Pepper to stop using the label unless the formula is reformulated to exclude synthetic additives.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Peters v. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-04410
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Joshua D. Arisohn (Arisohn LLC)

Do you buy “all natural” drinks like Snapple? How much does that label influence your choices? Share your opinion in the comments below.