Celsius Faces Class Actions Over ‘Burns Body Fat’ Energy Drink Claims
Two proposed class actions say company-funded studies do not support Celsius' metabolism and fat-burning claims. Celsius says it stands behind its research.
Celsius is facing two proposed class actions that challenge the “burns body fat” and “accelerates metabolism” claims on its energy drinks. One was filed Oct. 28, 2026, in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois, and a similar complaint was filed Oct. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Food Dive reported.
TLDR
- The suits say shoppers reading the front of the can would expect the drink alone to raise metabolism and burn fat.
- The plaintiffs say the studies Celsius cites were funded by the company and do not show meaningful fat loss without changes to diet and exercise.
- Celsius says it stands behind its peer-reviewed studies and its product claims.
- No court has ruled on the claims.
What the Lawsuits Claim
The complaints target front-label claims that the drinks accelerate metabolism and burn body fat. The Illinois case covers Celsius canned energy drinks and electrolyte powders, according to Food Dive. The Washington case, Nielsen v. Celsius Holdings, names 19 products, 16 Essential Energy drinks and three On-The-Go drink mixes, and also challenges the claim that the drinks are clinically proven to accelerate metabolism, ClassAction.org reported.
The Washington complaint alleges that the studies Celsius cites were solicited and funded by the company, and that all but one share common authors. It says they show only a temporary, minimal rise in metabolic markers over a few hours, not fat loss over weeks. It also points to a small-print note on the cans saying Celsius alone does not produce weight loss without a healthy diet and moderate exercise, and argues that it contradicts the front label.
The plaintiffs say Celsius targets fitness and wellness shoppers who are more likely to pay a premium for those claims. The Illinois complaint asks the court to stop the claims and to award damages and attorneys’ fees, according to Food Dive. The Washington case would cover people in that state who bought the products from Oct. 26, 2022, through the time of trial.
Celsius’ Response
Celsius told Food Dive it stands by its peer-reviewed studies and its product claims, which it said were reviewed by the Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Division. A spokesperson said the products have been clearly labeled for many years and go beyond Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements.
In 2011, a California consumer sued Celsius, claiming he did not burn calories as advertised. A judge dismissed the complaint, according to Food Dive.
Why It Matters
Health claims are a key target in food and beverage litigation, Food Dive noted, and Chobani, Liquid Death and David Protein faced class actions over labeling earlier in 2026. These cases ask what a shopper takes from the front label when the qualifiers sit in small print, and how much company-funded research can carry a health claim.
Sources: Food Dive (Nov. 4, 2026); ClassAction.org (Oct. 29, 2026).