To file a claim in the ZOA Energy Preservative Free Claims Settlement, you needed to submit a Claim Form online at www.ZOASettlement.com or mail a printed form to the settlement administrator, Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, by the February 20, 2026 deadline. The settlement, stemming from the case *Mikhail Gershzon v. ZOA Energy, LLC*, established a $3,000,000 fund for U.S. consumers who purchased ZOA Energy drinks that were labeled “0 Preservatives” despite containing citric acid and ascorbic acid, ingredients that can function as preservatives. For example, if you bought a 12-pack of ZOA from your local grocery store anytime between March 2021 and November 2025, you were likely eligible to file.
However, it is important to note that the claim filing deadline of February 20, 2026 has already passed. If you did not submit your claim before that date, you are no longer able to participate in the settlement payout. The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. PT, which will determine whether the court grants final approval of the settlement terms.
Table of Contents
- What Was Required to File a Claim in the ZOA Energy Preservative Free Settlement?
- How Much Money Will Claimants Actually Receive?
- What Were the Allegations Against ZOA Energy?
- What Happens at the Final Approval Hearing on March 26, 2026?
- What If You Missed the Claim Filing Deadline?
- How Did This Settlement Compare to Similar Beverage Labeling Cases?
- What Does This Mean for Energy Drink Labeling Going Forward?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Was Required to File a Claim in the ZOA Energy Preservative Free Settlement?
The claims process was straightforward by class action standards. Eligible claimants — defined as U.S. residents who purchased any zoa Energy drink labeled “0 Preservatives” for personal consumption (not resale) between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025 — had two options. They could either submit a Claim Form online through the official settlement website at www.ZOASettlement.com, or they could print a physical form and mail it to: Gershzon v. ZOA Energy, LLC c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O.
Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. One of the more consumer-friendly aspects of this settlement was that no proof of purchase was required to file a claim. Someone who remembered buying ZOA at a gas station two years ago but had long since tossed the receipt could still submit a valid claim. That said, the amount you stood to receive was directly tied to whether you kept your receipts, which created a significant gap between casual buyers and those with documentation. Compared to some other food and beverage settlements — where proof of purchase is mandatory and no-receipt claims are rejected outright — the ZOA settlement was notably accessible.
How Much Money Will Claimants Actually Receive?
The payout structure broke down into two tiers. Claimants who filed without any proof of purchase could receive $1 per can purchased, capped at a maximum of $10. Claimants who submitted receipts or other documentation could also receive $1 per can, but their cap jumped to $150. So someone who bought ZOA regularly and kept grocery receipts showing dozens of purchases stood to collect substantially more than someone filing from memory alone. However, these are maximum amounts, not potential payouts.
In class action settlements with a fixed fund like this $3,000,000 pool, the actual per-claimant payment depends on how many valid claims are submitted. If the total value of all approved claims exceeds the fund, payments get reduced proportionally. If you filed a no-receipt claim for $10, your actual check might end up being less if the settlement was heavily subscribed. Conversely, if relatively few people filed, claimants could receive their full requested amounts. The final distribution numbers will not be clear until after the court grants final approval and the administrator processes all claims.
What Were the Allegations Against ZOA Energy?
The lawsuit alleged that ZOA Energy, the energy drink brand co-founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, engaged in misleading labeling by prominently featuring “0 Preservatives” on its cans. The plaintiff, Mikhail Gershzon, argued that ZOA Energy drinks actually contained citric acid and ascorbic acid — both of which can function as preservatives in beverages. The core claim was that consumers paid a premium or chose ZOA over competitors based on the belief that the product was preservative-free, when the ingredient list told a different story. This type of labeling dispute has become increasingly common in the food and beverage industry.
Companies often highlight what their product lacks — no preservatives, no artificial flavors, no added sugar — as a marketing tool. But when regulators or plaintiffs scrutinize the actual ingredient lists, the claims sometimes fall apart on technical grounds. Citric acid, for instance, is widely used across the food industry and serves multiple purposes including flavor enhancement and preservation. Whether calling a product “0 Preservatives” while including such a dual-purpose ingredient constitutes false advertising was the central legal question. ZOA Energy did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement, which is standard in these cases.
What Happens at the Final Approval Hearing on March 26, 2026?
The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. PT. At this hearing, the court will review the terms of the settlement, consider any objections filed by class members, and decide whether to grant final approval. If approved, the settlement administrator will begin processing payments to claimants who submitted valid forms before the deadline.
If the court raises concerns or objections are substantial, the hearing could be continued or the settlement terms could be modified, though outright rejection of a settlement at this stage is uncommon. For claimants who already filed, there is nothing additional you need to do before or during the hearing. The process from here is largely a waiting game. After final approval, the administrator typically needs several weeks to several months to verify claims, calculate payment amounts based on the total number of valid claims against the $3,000,000 fund, and issue checks or electronic payments. Those who want to track the status of the case can check www.ZOASettlement.com for updates or call the toll-freetoll-free[contact via the official settlement website].
What If You Missed the Claim Filing Deadline?
The claim filing deadline was February 20, 2026, and there is generally no mechanism to submit a late claim once that window closes. Unlike some government benefit programs that allow for extensions or hardship exceptions, class action settlement deadlines tend to be firm. If you purchased ZOA Energy drinks during the eligible period but did not file by the deadline, you will not receive a payment from this settlement.
There was also a separate opt-out deadline of February 13, 2026 for class members who wanted to exclude themselves from the settlement and preserve the right to file their own individual lawsuit against ZOA Energy. That deadline has also passed. If you neither filed a claim nor opted out, you remain a class member bound by the settlement terms, meaning you gave up the right to sue ZOA Energy over the same “0 Preservatives” labeling issue, but you also will not receive any compensation. This is one of the more frustrating aspects of class action law for consumers who simply were not aware of the settlement in time.
How Did This Settlement Compare to Similar Beverage Labeling Cases?
The ZOA Energy settlement falls within a familiar range for food and beverage mislabeling cases. A $3,000,000 fund is modest compared to some high-profile settlements — like the Red Bull “gives you wings” settlement that paid out $13 million — but the per-claimant amounts are roughly in line with industry norms.
The $1-per-can structure with a $10 no-receipt cap is typical. What set this case apart was the relatively generous $150 cap for claimants with receipts, which is higher than many similar settlements where receipt-backed claims are often capped at $30 to $50.
What Does This Mean for Energy Drink Labeling Going Forward?
Settlements like this one send a signal to the broader energy drink and supplement industry that “free from” marketing claims are under scrutiny. When a brand as high-profile as ZOA — backed by one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world — faces a multimillion-dollar settlement over preservative labeling, it puts other manufacturers on notice. Expect to see companies becoming more careful with negative claims on packaging, or at least adding qualifying language to avoid the kind of technical challenges that drove the Gershzon lawsuit.
For consumers, the takeaway is that ingredient lists remain the most reliable source of information about what is actually in your food and drinks. Front-of-package marketing claims are regulated, but enforcement often depends on private lawsuits rather than proactive government oversight. Staying informed about active settlements through official court websites and settlement administrator pages is the best way to ensure you do not miss future filing deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim in the ZOA Energy settlement?
No. The claim filing deadline was February 20, 2026, and has already passed. Late claims are generally not accepted in class action settlements.
Do I need a receipt to file a claim?
No receipt was required to file, but claimants without receipts were capped at $10 (up to 10 cans at $1 each), while those with receipts could claim up to $150.
When will I receive my payment if I filed a claim?
Payments will be issued after the Final Approval Hearing on March 26, 2026, assuming the court approves the settlement. Distribution typically takes several weeks to months after approval.
Which ZOA Energy products were covered by the settlement?
Any ZOA Energy drink that carried the “0 Preservatives” label and was purchased for personal consumption (not resale) between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025.
Does ZOA Energy admit the drinks contained preservatives?
No. As is standard in class action settlements, ZOA Energy did not admit any wrongdoing. The settlement resolves the dispute without a determination of fault.
How do I contact the settlement administrator?
You can visit www.ZOASettlement.com or call the toll-freetoll-free[contact via the official settlement website] for questions about the settlement or your claim status.
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