The ZOA Energy settlement offers cash payments of up to $150 for consumers who purchased ZOA Energy drinks labeled “0 Preservatives” between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025. The $3 million settlement fund in *Gershzon v. ZOA Energy, LLC* (Case No. 3:23-cv-5444-JD) resolves allegations that the “0 Preservatives” claim was misleading because the drinks contain citric acid and ascorbic acid, both of which can function as preservatives.
ZOA Energy denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the case. The claim filing deadline of February 20, 2026 has already passed, so new claims can no longer be submitted. However, if you already filed a claim, the key date to watch now is the Final Approval Hearing scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11 of the San Francisco Courthouse.
Table of Contents
- Who Was Eligible for the ZOA Energy Settlement and What Were the Deadlines?
- How Much Will ZOA Settlement Payments Be and What Proof Do You Need?
- When Will ZOA Energy Settlement Payments Actually Arrive?
- What Were the Allegations Against ZOA Energy?
- What Happens at the Final Approval Hearing on March 26, 2026?
- How to Contact the Settlement Administrator
- What This Settlement Means for Energy Drink Labeling Going Forward
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who Was Eligible for the ZOA Energy Settlement and What Were the Deadlines?
Eligibility for the zoa Energy settlement was limited to U.S. residents who purchased any ZOA Energy drink bearing the “0 Preservatives” label for personal consumption — not for resale — between March 1, 2021 and November 21, 2025. That covers roughly four and a half years of purchases, which is a fairly generous class period compared to many consumer product settlements. If you bought even a single can of ZOA during that window and used it yourself rather than reselling it, you qualified.
The critical deadlines have now passed. The opt-out and objection deadline was February 13, 2026, and the claim filing deadline was February 20, 2026. Claims had to be submitted online or postmarked by that date. There is no late-filing mechanism publicly listed, so anyone who missed the February 20 cutoff is almost certainly out of luck. This is a common frustration in class action settlements — by the time many consumers hear about them, the window has already closed.
How Much Will ZOA Settlement Payments Be and What Proof Do You Need?
Payment amounts depend entirely on whether you submitted proof of purchase with your claim. Without proof, claimants receive $1 per can purchased, capped at $10. With proof of purchase, the per-can rate stays at $1, but the maximum jumps to $150. Acceptable proof includes receipts, purchase records, removed UPC codes, or other third-party documentation showing the fact and date of purchase. So if you regularly bought ZOA at a grocery store and had loyalty card purchase history or kept receipts, you could claim significantly more.
However, there is an important limitation. If the total value of all approved claims exceeds the $3 million settlement fund after deducting attorneys’ fees, notice costs, and class representative service awards, payments will be reduced on a pro rata basis. In practice, this means your actual check could be less than the per-can rate suggests. For example, if you filed a claim for 10 cans without proof and expected $10, but approved claims collectively exceed the available funds, you might receive $6 or $7 instead. The final per-claim amount will not be known until after the court approves the settlement and the administrator tallies all valid claims.
When Will ZOA Energy Settlement Payments Actually Arrive?
The settlement agreement specifies that payments will begin within 30 days of the “Effective Date,” which is the date when final approval is granted and any appeals have been fully resolved. The Final Approval Hearing is currently set for March 26, 2026. If the court grants final approval at that hearing and no one appeals, the Effective Date would arrive roughly 30 to 60 days later, once the appeal window closes without any objections being filed.
Under that best-case scenario, claimants could reasonably expect to receive payment by approximately July 2026 — roughly 90 days after final approval. However, if any class member or party appeals the settlement, the timeline extends dramatically. Appeals in federal court can take six months or longer to resolve, meaning payments could be delayed well into 2027. For context, the settlement administrator Kroll will handle distribution once the Effective Date is established, sending payments through the method selected during the claims process.
What Were the Allegations Against ZOA Energy?
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that ZOA Energy’s “0 Preservatives” label was deceptive. The core argument was straightforward: ZOA Energy drinks contain citric acid and ascorbic acid, both of which are widely recognized as having preservative properties in food science. The plaintiff, Gershzon, argued that labeling these products as having zero preservatives misled consumers who relied on that claim when making purchasing decisions.
ZOA Energy, the brand co-founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, denied all wrongdoing and maintained that its labeling was accurate. This is standard in class action settlements — companies typically settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial rather than as an admission of liability. The distinction matters because it means the settlement does not establish any legal precedent that citric acid or ascorbic acid must be labeled as preservatives. Other energy drink or beverage companies making similar claims are not directly affected by this settlement, though they may face separate litigation.
What Happens at the Final Approval Hearing on March 26, 2026?
The Final Approval Hearing is when the judge reviews the settlement terms, considers any objections filed by class members, and decides whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. This hearing takes place on March 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 11 of the San Francisco Courthouse. Class members are not required to attend, and in most consumer class actions, very few do.
The judge will also rule on attorneys’ fees and any service awards for the named plaintiff, which come out of the $3 million fund before claim payments are calculated. One important warning: final approval is not guaranteed. While judges approve the vast majority of class action settlements that reach this stage, objections from class members or concerns raised by the court could result in modifications or, in rare cases, rejection of the deal. If the settlement is not approved, the case would proceed toward trial or the parties would negotiate revised terms. If you filed a claim, you do not need to take any action before or during the hearing — the court will issue its ruling and the settlement administrator will notify claimants of next steps.
How to Contact the Settlement Administrator
If you filed a claim and have questions about your claim status or expected payment, you can contact the settlement administrator directly. The official settlement website is www.zoasettlement.com, and the dedicated phone line is (833) 890-6436. You can also reach the administrator by mail at: Gershzon v.
ZOA Energy, LLC, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. Kroll is one of the larger claims administrators in the country and typically provides claim status updates on the settlement website once the court issues its final ruling.
What This Settlement Means for Energy Drink Labeling Going Forward
The ZOA Energy settlement reflects a broader trend of consumers and plaintiffs’ attorneys scrutinizing health-related claims on food and beverage packaging. Labeling disputes over terms like “natural,” “no artificial ingredients,” and “0 preservatives” have generated a wave of class action litigation in recent years, particularly in California federal courts. While this settlement does not create binding legal precedent — since it was resolved through agreement rather than a court ruling on the merits — it signals to other beverage companies that vague or arguably misleading label claims carry real litigation risk.
For consumers, the practical takeaway is to remain skeptical of broad label claims and to pay attention to ingredient lists. Ingredients like citric acid serve multiple functions in beverages, and whether they count as “preservatives” depends on context and regulatory interpretation. Settlements like this one, while modest on a per-claimant basis, do push companies toward more transparent labeling practices over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim for the ZOA Energy settlement?
No. The claim filing deadline was February 20, 2026, and it has already passed. Late claims are generally not accepted.
How much will I receive from the ZOA Energy settlement?
Without proof of purchase, you can receive $1 per can up to $10. With proof of purchase, you can receive $1 per can up to $150. These amounts may be reduced pro rata if total approved claims exceed the available fund.
When will ZOA Energy settlement checks be mailed?
Payments are expected to begin within 30 days of the Effective Date. If the court grants final approval on March 26, 2026 and no appeals are filed, payments could arrive by approximately July 2026.
What counts as proof of purchase for the ZOA Energy settlement?
Receipts, purchase records, removed UPC codes, or other third-party documentation showing the fact and date of purchase are all acceptable.
What happens if someone appeals the ZOA Energy settlement?
An appeal could delay payments by six months or more beyond the final approval date. Payments cannot be distributed until all appeals are resolved.
Does the settlement mean ZOA Energy admitted its labels were misleading?
No. ZOA Energy denied all wrongdoing and agreed to settle without admitting liability. The settlement is not an admission that the “0 Preservatives” label was false or misleading.
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