Celsius faces healthwashing lawsuit over energy drink claims

Celsius Holdings is facing a class action lawsuit that claims the energy drink company misled consumers about health claims on its label. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 28, centers on Celsius’s canned energy drinks and electrolyte powders. A similar complaint was filed in Washington Western District Court on October 26.

Annabelle Nielsen, a Washington woman, alleges she suffered economic losses after purchasing Celsius products between 2024 and 2026. She claims she would have bought a cheaper product had she known the health claims were false. The lawsuit states Nielsen bought Celsius's 'Healthwashed Energy Products' under the mistaken belief they offered genuine wellness benefits. The brand, owned by Celsius Holdings Inc., controls about a fifth of the U.S. energy drink market and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.

The complaint lists 19 specific Celsius products. It alleges the company courts fitness-focused consumers willing to pay premium prices. Nielsen is represented by Hagens Berman law firm and seeks punitive damages and class-action certification for alleged fraudulent concealment and violations of state consumer protection law.

Allegations of misleading marketing

The lawsuit accuses Celsius of 'healthwashing' over front-of-package statements that its energy drink 'accelerates metabolism' and 'burns body fat'. Reasonable consumers would understand that statement to promise increased metabolism and body fat burned solely by drinking Celsius, the complaint argues. It takes issue with the company's internal health studies, saying the six studies were self-solicited, self-funded, and misleading to consumers.

The lawsuit claims the no evidence that drinking the beverage produces 'meaningful' fat loss without diet and exercise changes. Nielsen pointed to a can of Astro Vibe-flavored Celsius with those claims, accompanied by marketing images of cartoon running, biking, and meditating. Celsius's disclaimer that drinks do not produce weight loss without diet and exercise was allegedly concealed in minute lettering on the back of cans and packets.

Company's defense and prior history

Celsius maintains its studies are peer-reviewed and FDA-compliant. A Celsius spokesperson said, 'Our products are clearly labeled, as they have been for many years, and go above and beyond FDA requirements.' The company stated its claims were reviewed by the Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Division.

Celsius has faced similar allegations before. In 2011, a consumer in California sued claiming he did not burn calories as advertised, though a judge dismissed that complaint. CEO John Fieldly stated in 2025 that Celsius delivers on 'clinically proven fat-burning and metabolism acceleration' and is 'all about fitness'. The lawsuit’s authors are urging Celsius to stop using the claims and to cover monetary damages and attorneys fees.

Industry context and broader implications

Health claims are a key target in food and beverage litigation. Wellness and ingredients continue to be a top priority for consumers and drive purchasing power. Earlier this year, Chobani, Liquid Death and David Protein faced class action complaints over labeling. This reflects growing consumer skepticism toward wellness claims.

Attorneys accuse Celsius of working to court consumers who seek fitness and wellness products. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Celsius in June over the packaging and marketing of its Alani Nu product, which contains 200 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-ounce can and is marketed to teens. Celsius stated it would cooperate with the probe but disagreed with Paxton's characterization. The company recommends no more than two cans per day, noting caffeine content between 200 and 270 milligrams per can.