If you bought ZOA Energy drinks — the brand co-founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — and noticed the “0 Preservatives” label, you may be owed money from a $3 million class action settlement. The deadline to file your claim is February 20, 2026, and you can collect up to $150 with proof of purchase or up to $10 without any receipts at all. Filing takes just a few minutes online at www.ZOASettlement.com, or you can submit a claim by mail. The settlement stems from *Gershzon v.
ZOA Energy, LLC*, a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that ZOA Energy drinks were falsely marketed as containing “0 Preservatives” when they actually contained citric acid and ascorbic acid — both of which can function as preservatives. For example, if you grabbed a can of ZOA at your local gas station anytime between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025, you are likely part of the eligible class. This article walks through exactly how to file, what you can expect to receive, the key deadlines you cannot miss, and what happens if you do nothing.
Table of Contents
- What Is the ZOA Energy Preservative Free Settlement and Who Qualifies?
- How Much Money Can You Get from the ZOA Settlement Claim?
- How to File Your ZOA Energy Claim Before the February 20, 2026 Deadline
- Key Deadlines — Claim Filing vs. Opt-Out vs. Objection
- What Happens If You Miss the February 20 Deadline or Do Nothing?
- The Citric Acid and Ascorbic Acid Preservative Debate
- What This Settlement Signals for Energy Drink Labeling Going Forward
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the ZOA Energy Preservative Free Settlement and Who Qualifies?
The case, *Gershzon v. ZOA energy, LLC* (Case No. 3:23-cv-5444-JD), centers on a straightforward allegation: ZOA slapped “0 Preservatives” on its cans while the ingredient list included citric acid and ascorbic acid. While these ingredients are commonly known as flavor enhancers and vitamin C respectively, food scientists recognize that both can serve preservative functions — extending shelf life by inhibiting microbial growth or preventing oxidation. The plaintiff argued that consumers were misled into paying a premium for a product they believed was preservative-free. The eligible class includes all U.S.
Residents who purchased any ZOA Energy drink bearing the “0 Preservatives” label for personal use (not for resale) between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025. That is a roughly four-and-a-half-year purchase window, which means even occasional buyers likely qualify. Compared to many food labeling settlements that limit eligibility to specific product lines or flavors, this one covers the entire ZOA Energy drink lineup that carried the disputed label — a broader net than usual. You do not need to have felt harmed or even noticed the label to be eligible. The settlement class is defined by the purchase itself, not by whether you relied on the preservative-free claim when deciding to buy. If you picked up a ZOA because you liked the flavor or because The Rock endorsed it, you still qualify as long as the can had the “0 Preservatives” label.
How Much Money Can You Get from the ZOA Settlement Claim?
The total settlement fund is $3 million, which covers all claim payouts, attorney fees, administrative costs, and service awards to the named plaintiff. Individual payments break down simply: $1 per can purchased. If you have receipts, store loyalty card records, or other proof of purchase, you can claim up to $150 — meaning up to 150 cans. If you do not have receipts, you can still file a claim for up to $10, which covers 10 cans without needing to prove anything beyond your declaration. However, if the total value of all approved claims exceeds the available funds after fees and costs are deducted, payouts will be reduced proportionally. This is standard in consumer class actions and means your actual check could be less than what you claim.
In large food and beverage settlements where millions of consumers are eligible, pro-rata reductions are common. That said, many eligible people never file, so those who do often receive close to the full amount. The $10 no-receipt option is modest but essentially compensation for a few minutes of your time. One limitation worth noting: the $1-per-can rate is fixed regardless of what you actually paid for the drink. Whether you bought ZOA on sale for $1.50 or paid $3.99 at a convenience store, the reimbursement rate does not change. This is a settlement, not a full refund program, so temper expectations accordingly.
How to File Your ZOA Energy Claim Before the February 20, 2026 Deadline
The fastest way to file is online at www.ZOASettlement.com. The claim form asks for basic personal information, how many cans you purchased during the eligible period, and whether you have proof of purchase to upload. If you are claiming more than 10 cans (above the $10 no-receipt cap), you will need to provide documentation — receipts, bank or credit card statements showing ZOA purchases, or store loyalty program records. For those who prefer paper, you can download and print the claim form from the settlement website and mail it to: Gershzon v. ZOA Energy, LLC c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. Mailed claims must be postmarked by February 20, 2026.
If you are mailing your form close to the deadline, consider using certified mail so you have proof of the postmark date. Online filing is instantaneous and removes that risk entirely. As a practical example, say you bought a 12-pack of ZOA from Costco every month for a year. That is 144 cans. With a Costco receipt or membership purchase history, you could claim $144. Without any receipts, you would be limited to $10 regardless of how many you actually bought. It is worth checking your email for digital receipts, your bank statements, or retailer apps like Amazon order history before you file.
Key Deadlines — Claim Filing vs. Opt-Out vs. Objection
There are three critical dates in this settlement, and confusing them could cost you. The claim deadline is February 20, 2026 — this is the last day to submit your claim online or have your mailed form postmarked. The opt-out and objection deadline is one week earlier: February 13, 2026. If you want to exclude yourself from the settlement (to preserve the right to sue ZOA independently) or formally object to the settlement terms, you must act by that earlier date. The tradeoff between filing a claim and opting out is worth considering carefully. If you file a claim, you receive your share of the $3 million fund but give up the right to sue ZOA over the “0 Preservatives” label. If you opt out, you keep your right to sue but get nothing from this settlement.
For the vast majority of consumers, filing a claim is the practical choice — individual lawsuits over energy drink labeling are expensive and unlikely to yield more than $150. Opting out realistically only makes sense if you are an attorney preparing a separate action or if you purchased ZOA in enormous commercial quantities. The final approval hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. You do not need to attend. If the court approves the settlement, payments will be processed afterward, typically within a few months. If you have questions about the timeline, the toll-freetoll-free[contact via the official settlement website].
What Happens If You Miss the February 20 Deadline or Do Nothing?
If you miss the claim deadline, you get nothing. There is no grace period and no late submission process in most class action settlements, and this one is no different. You will still be bound by the settlement’s release of claims, meaning you cannot later sue ZOA over the preservative labeling issue. In effect, doing nothing is the worst possible outcome — you give up your legal rights and receive zero compensation. One common issue is that people hear about settlements after the deadline has passed. Settlement administrators like Kroll do their best to notify class members through email, media, and sometimes direct mail, but many eligible consumers never see the notice.
If you are reading this and the deadline has not yet passed, file now rather than bookmarking it for later. Procrastination is the number one reason people miss claim deadlines. Another warning: be cautious about third-party websites or services that offer to file your claim for a fee or a percentage of your payout. The claim process is free and takes minutes. No legitimate settlement requires you to pay someone to file on your behalf. If you encounter a site asking for payment or sensitive information beyond what the official claim form requests, it may be a scam. Stick to www.ZOASettlement.com or the mailing address provided by the settlement administrator.
The Citric Acid and Ascorbic Acid Preservative Debate
The core of this lawsuit raises an interesting question about food labeling. Citric acid is ubiquitous in the food industry — it provides tartness in beverages and is listed on the ingredient panels of countless products. It also happens to inhibit bacterial growth, which is a preservative function. Ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C, prevents oxidation and is frequently used to maintain color and freshness.
The FDA does not have a single rigid definition of what constitutes a “preservative,” and manufacturers have some latitude in how they characterize ingredients on labels. ZOA’s defense would likely center on the idea that these ingredients were added primarily for flavor and nutritional purposes, not as preservatives. But the plaintiff argued that regardless of intent, the functional reality is that citric acid and ascorbic acid act as preservatives in the finished product, making the “0 Preservatives” label misleading. This kind of dual-function ingredient dispute is increasingly common in food litigation, and consumers should expect to see more cases like this as labeling scrutiny intensifies.
What This Settlement Signals for Energy Drink Labeling Going Forward
The ZOA settlement is part of a broader trend of accountability in the energy drink market. Brands across the industry have faced lawsuits over claims about “natural” ingredients, sugar content, caffeine levels, and now preservative labeling. A $3 million settlement is not catastrophic for a brand backed by one of the biggest celebrities in the world, but it sends a message that “0 Preservatives” claims will be scrutinized when ingredient lists tell a different story.
For consumers, the takeaway is that front-of-package marketing claims are not always as straightforward as they appear. The back label — the actual ingredient list — remains the most reliable source of information about what you are drinking. As regulatory agencies and plaintiffs’ attorneys continue to target misleading health claims, shoppers who pay attention to ingredient panels will be better positioned to make informed choices and, when warranted, to participate in settlements like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a receipt to file a ZOA Energy settlement claim?
No. You can file without proof of purchase and receive up to $10 (covering 10 cans at $1 each). However, if you have receipts, bank statements, or store loyalty records, you can claim up to $150.
Which ZOA Energy products are covered by this settlement?
Any ZOA Energy drink that carried the “0 Preservatives” label purchased for personal consumption (not resale) between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025.
How do I file my claim?
You can file online at www.ZOASettlement.com or mail a completed claim form to Gershzon v. ZOA Energy, LLC c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. The form must be submitted or postmarked by February 20, 2026.
When will I receive my payment?
Payments will be distributed after the final approval hearing on March 26, 2026, assuming the court approves the settlement. This typically takes several months.
What if I want to opt out of the settlement?
You must submit your opt-out request by February 13, 2026 — one week before the claim deadline. Opting out preserves your right to sue independently but means you receive nothing from this settlement.
Does filing a claim cost anything?
No. Filing is completely free. Be wary of any third-party service that charges a fee to submit a claim on your behalf.
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