A courtroom challenge over what counts as a preservative has ended with a multimillion-dollar payout. ZOA Energy $3M class action settlement will distribute funds to consumers after the popular energy drink brand agreed to resolve allegations that its marketing misled buyers.

The lawsuit accused ZOA Energy of deceptive labeling, claiming cans advertised “0 preservatives” despite containing ingredients plaintiffs said function as preservatives.

What Sparked the Lawsuit

At the heart of the case were ZOA Energy’s product labels, which stated the drinks contained “0 preservatives.” The lawsuit argued that this claim was misleading because the beverages include citric acid and ascorbic acid, compounds commonly used to preserve freshness.

Ascorbic acid is better known as vitamin C, while citric acid naturally occurs in foods such as citrus fruits. Both substances are widely regarded as safe for consumption, a point acknowledged in the case filings.

ZOA Energy, co-founded by actor and entrepreneur Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, sells a range of flavors including Tropical Punch, Frosted Grape and Mango Splash.

Company Denies Wrongdoing

ZOA Energy agreed to the settlement while denying any wrongdoing or violation of consumer protection laws. The agreement allows the company to avoid prolonged litigation while closing the chapter on the labeling dispute.

Who Is Eligible for Compensation

Consumers who purchased any ZOA Energy drink labeled “0 Preservatives” between March 1, 2021, and Nov. 21, 2025, are eligible to seek cash payments under the settlement.

To qualify for the maximum payout, claimants must provide proof of purchase, such as receipts or purchase records.

How Much Consumers Can Receive

Under the settlement terms:

• Without proof of purchase, consumers may receive $1 per unit, capped at $10 per household.

• With proof of purchase, consumers may receive $1 per unit, capped at $150 per household.

The total settlement fund is capped at $3 million, which must also cover attorneys’ fees and administrative costs. If valid claims exceed the fund limit, individual payments will be reduced proportionally, according to the settlement administrator.

Key Deadlines and Court Approval

The deadline to submit a claim is Feb. 20, 2026. Claims can be filed online or by mail.

A final approval hearing is scheduled for March 26 in San Francisco. Payments will not be issued until the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

For consumers, the ZOA Energy $3M class action settlement offers a chance at reimbursement, while underscoring how a few words on a label can carry heavyweight legal consequences.