In the world of drinks, kombucha was once an afterthought, but the fizzy, mushroom based elixir has become a favorite among everyone from trend-forward celebrities to natural health enthusiasts to everyday people in recent years.
One of the most favored brands of these types of fermented drinks is KeVita, Inc., a company that makes water kefir-style drinks with flavors like lemon cayenne and mojito, and can be found in most major supermarkets now since it was acquired by the pro-GMO PepsiCo corporation.
The company also makes a popular kombucha drink called ‘KeVita Master Brew Kombucha,’ which features similar fruit flavors but is made with a mushroom-based culture, infusing the drink with a gut-healthy dose of probiotics.
Despite the many healthier properties of these “Master Brew” drinks, there is one particular healthy aspect of the drink that may not be included after all according to a recent class action lawsuit, that has resulted in a settlement opportunity for anybody who bought the products between
Master Brew Kombucha Settles Lawsuit Over Pasteurization Claims
Are KeVita brand Master brew kombucha drinks raw, or have they been heated at some point during the process?
This relatively minute detail is especially important to holistic health conscious consumers, many of whom seek out kombucha drinks because of the raw, living enzymes provided a wide range of healthy ingredients.
Heating, which is administered as part of the pasteurization process, destroys many beneficial properties according to fans of the drinks, and the raw food movement in general.
In the case of the lawsuit, allegations were made that the Defendant, KeVita, violated certain state laws and consumer protection statutes in connection with the creation, development, formulation, composition, sale, advertising, marketing, labeling, distribution, and manufacturing of KeVita Master Brew Kombucha.
The lawsuit alleged that the labeling and marketing of the drinks created the “misleading impression among consumers that the products were manufactured without being pasteurized at any point during the manufacturing process.”
While KeVita and Master Brew have denied these allegations, both parties and their attorneys have agreed to a settlement to avoid costly court proceedings, MasterBrewSettlement.com reported.
For those kombucha drinkers who may be wondering, Master Brew’s kombucha likely was pasteurized in some way, according to a report from FoodNavigator.com citing an attorney who worked on the case, who intimated that “the claimant here did not get a raw kombucha.”
The following flavors of Master Brew are included in the settlement:
-Blueberry Basil
-Dragonfruit Lemongrass
-Exotic Greens
-Ginger
-Grapefruit
-Lavender Melon
-Mango Habanero
-Pineapple Peace
-Raspberry Lemongrass
-Roots Beer
-Tart Cherry
How to Make a Claim for Money Back from Master Brew Kombucha
If you purchased one or more bottles of KeVita Master Brew Kombucha in the United States or U.S. territories prior to and including September 16, 2020, and reside in the United States or any U.S. territories, you may have a claim.
If you still have proof of purchase, you may receive 30 cents per product, for a total of up to 60 dollars.
If you don’t have proof of purchase, you may submit a form for 30 cents per product, for a total of up to nine dollars.
Anyone who submits a form prior to Thursday, January 14, 2021, will receive a minimum of three dollars.
For more information or to file a claim, visit the Master Brew Settlement website here.
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About Nick Meyer
