If you purchased ZOA Energy drinks — the brand co-founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — that carried a “0 Preservatives” label, you may have been part of a class eligible for compensation under a $3 million settlement. The case, *Mikhail Gershzon v. ZOA Energy, LLC* (Case No. 3:23-cv-5444-JD), alleged that ZOA’s “0 Preservatives” claim was misleading because the drinks actually contained citric acid and ascorbic acid, both of which can function as preservatives. U.S.
Residents who bought any ZOA Energy drink with that label between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025 for personal use were eligible to file claims worth up to $150 per household with receipts, or $10 per household without them. The claim filing deadline was February 20, 2026, so that window has now closed. However, the settlement still awaits final approval from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, with a hearing scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. PT in San Francisco.
Table of Contents
- Who Qualifies for the ZOA Energy $3 Million Preservative-Free Settlement?
- How Much Could Claimants Receive from the ZOA Settlement?
- What Was Actually Wrong with ZOA’s “0 Preservatives” Label?
- How the Claim Filing Process Worked
- What the Final Approval Hearing Means for Claimants
- The Broader Pattern of “Preservative-Free” Labeling Lawsuits
- What Comes Next After the March 2026 Hearing
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Qualifies for the ZOA Energy $3 Million Preservative-Free Settlement?
The class definition was broad but had specific boundaries. To qualify, you needed to be a U.S. resident who purchased any ZOA Energy drink that carried the “0 Preservatives” label for personal consumption — not for resale — between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025. That covers a roughly four-and-a-half-year purchasing window, which is generous compared to many consumer class actions that only cover a year or two.
One important restriction: the settlement allowed only one claim per household, not per person. So if three people in the same house all drank ZOA, they could not each file separately. This is a common structure in consumer product settlements designed to prevent duplicate claims from inflating payouts. For example, if you and your roommate both bought ZOA regularly, only one of you could submit a claim for that address.
How Much Could Claimants Receive from the ZOA Settlement?
The $3 million settlement fund covers everything — claim payouts, attorney fees, administrative costs, and service awards to the class representative. That means the actual pool available for consumer claims is smaller than the headline number, which is standard in class action settlements but worth understanding before setting expectations. Claimants who provided proof of purchase — receipts, purchase records, or UPC codes — could claim $1 per can, up to a maximum of $150 per household.
Those without receipts could still file a claim for $1 per unit, but the cap dropped significantly to just $10 per household. The gap between $150 and $10 illustrates a reality of class action settlements: holding onto receipts matters enormously. However, if you only bought ZOA occasionally and never kept records, the no-receipt option still offered something rather than nothing. It is also worth noting that if the total claims exceed the available fund, payouts may be reduced on a pro rata basis — a possibility the court will address at the final approval hearing.
What Was Actually Wrong with ZOA’s “0 Preservatives” Label?
The core allegation centered on two ingredients: citric acid and ascorbic acid. Both are commonly found in beverages and food products, and both are widely recognized as having preservative functions. Citric acid inhibits bacterial growth and is routinely used to extend shelf life. Ascorbic acid, which is a form of vitamin C, acts as an antioxidant that prevents oxidation and spoilage.
The plaintiff argued that including these ingredients while prominently displaying “0 Preservatives” on the can was deceptive to consumers. ZOA Energy did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The company’s position, as is typical in these cases, was that it settled to avoid the costs and uncertainties of continued litigation. This distinction matters because it means there was no court finding that ZOA’s labels were actually false or misleading — only an allegation that was resolved through negotiation. For consumers, though, the practical question was always whether they relied on that label when choosing ZOA over competing products, and the settlement acknowledged that concern had enough merit to warrant compensation.
How the Claim Filing Process Worked
The official settlement website at www.zoasettlement.com was the hub for all claim submissions. Claimants needed to provide basic personal information, confirm they purchased ZOA Energy drinks with the “0 Preservatives” label during the class period, and indicate how many units they purchased. Those seeking the higher payout tier had to upload or describe their proof of purchase. The tradeoff between the two claim tiers was straightforward but significant.
Filing with proof meant potentially fifteen times the payout ($150 vs. $10), but required digging through old receipts or bank statements. For heavy ZOA drinkers who spent hundreds on the product over several years, the effort to locate receipts was clearly worth it. For someone who grabbed a can once or twice at a gas station, filing without proof for up to $10 was the practical route. Either way, the deadline to submit was February 20, 2026, and late claims were not accepted.
What the Final Approval Hearing Means for Claimants
The settlement currently has preliminary approval from the court, but final approval is still pending. The final approval hearing is set for March 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. PT before Judge James Donato in San Francisco. At this hearing, the court will evaluate whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate for the class.
It will also rule on attorney fees and the service award for the named plaintiff, Mikhail Gershzon. If the court grants final approval, payments should begin processing in the weeks or months following. If the court raises concerns or any objections were filed before the February 13, 2026 deadline, the process could be delayed or the terms modified. It is uncommon for a settlement that has already received preliminary approval to be rejected outright at this stage, but it does happen. Claimants who already filed should monitor www.zoasettlement.com for updates rather than relying on third-party sources that may not reflect the most current status.
The Broader Pattern of “Preservative-Free” Labeling Lawsuits
The ZOA case fits into a growing wave of litigation targeting food and beverage labeling claims. Citric acid, in particular, has become a flashpoint because it serves dual purposes — as a flavoring agent and as a preservative — and companies often highlight its flavoring role while omitting its preservative function.
Similar lawsuits have been filed against other beverage brands making “no preservatives” or “all natural” claims while using ingredients that arguably contradict those labels. For consumers, the lesson is that marketing claims on packaging do not always align with the technical functions of listed ingredients.
What Comes Next After the March 2026 Hearing
Assuming final approval is granted on March 26, the settlement administrator will begin calculating and distributing payments. The timeline for checks or electronic payments typically ranges from 60 to 120 days after final approval, though appeals or administrative delays can extend that window. Class members who filed valid claims do not need to take any further action — payments will be sent to the address or payment method provided during the claim submission.
For those who missed the filing deadline, there is no mechanism to submit a late claim. The settlement terms were clear on that cutoff. Going forward, this case may prompt ZOA Energy and similar brands to revise their labeling practices, though the settlement itself does not require specific label changes. Consumers who want to stay informed about similar settlements involving food and beverage products should bookmark www.zoasettlement.com for this particular case and keep an eye on federal court dockets in the Northern District of California, which has become a hub for consumer protection class actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim for the ZOA Energy settlement?
No. The claim filing deadline was February 20, 2026, and has now passed. Late claims are not being accepted.
How much will I receive if I filed a claim?
If you provided proof of purchase, you could receive up to $1 per can with a maximum of $150 per household. Without proof, the maximum is $10 per household. Final amounts depend on the total number of valid claims and court approval.
When will payments be sent out?
Payments will not be distributed until after the court grants final approval, which is scheduled to be considered at a hearing on March 26, 2026. After approval, payments typically take 60 to 120 days to process.
Does my entire household only get one claim?
Yes. The settlement allows one claim per household, regardless of how many people in the home purchased ZOA Energy drinks.
Did ZOA admit their labels were false?
No. ZOA Energy settled the case without admitting any wrongdoing. The settlement was a resolution to avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation.
Where can I check the status of the settlement?
The official settlement website is www.zoasettlement.com, which will have the most current information on hearing dates, approval status, and payment timelines.