The new prebiotics soda will come out this month in five different flavores. Coca-Cola noted on its website that this is the “first-ever prebiotic soda made with real fruit juice.” Similarly to all prebiotic sodas, Simply Pop aims to “support gut health,” meaning there’s prebiotic fiber in it and no added sugars. The drink also has Vitamin C and Zinc to support immune function. CEO of Coca-Cola’s nutrition unit, Becca Kerr, said Simply Pop came amid the rising popularity of prebiotic sodas.
According to Kerr, creating Simply Pop is part of Coca-Cola’s aim to become a “total beverage company,” beyond its usual drinks. Along with the new prebiotic soda, Simply has created a range of sweet beverages. The brand, founded in 2001, famously makes Simply juices, like orange, limeades, and lemonade. Simply also makes smoothies and mixes for making cocktails. Prebiotic sodas have become immensely popular in recent years, offering classic flavors like cola and lemon-lime but with a fraction of the sugar and other supposed health benefits.
The lawsuit also alleged that the specific type of prebiotic used in Poppi, the dietary fiber agave inulin, can cause “adverse health results” and cited studies on consuming agave inulin. One study claimed that the prebiotic “can lead to inflammation and even liver damage at doses as small as 10 to 30 grams per day over a three-week period.” Another stated that taking as little as 2.5 grams of prebiotic supplements, including agave inulin, can lead to a build-up of gas, causing abdominal discomfort.
“This vending machine campaign was put in place to bring awareness to the biggest soda moment of the year, the Super Bowl,” Ellsworth said in a TikTok video posted on Poppi’s account. “We planned to share Poppi across the U.S. with creatives hosting Super Bowl parties for their friends and families.”. She continued to explain that Poppi would be bringing the vending machines to marketing events, community pop-ups, and giveaways which Ellsworth claimed was always the company’s intention.
