Celsius Energy Drink Lawsuit: 2023 Settlement & Active Cases Explained
The $7.8M 'no preservatives' class action is closed — but a newer FDA misbranding suit over Celsius Live Fit is still pending.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Consumers alleged Celsius falsely marketed its drinks as containing 'no preservatives' when they contained citric acid, which can act as a preservative. A separate 2024 class action claims Celsius Live Fit drinks are misbranded under federal law for making drug-like claims (e.g. 'accelerate metabolism,' 'burn body fat') without FDA approval. Note: this is Celsius Holdings, the energy-drink maker — not Celsius Network, the bankrupt crypto lender.
Case Details
2023 settlement: Maddox v. Celsius Holdings, M.D. Florida, final approval April 5, 2023. Live Fit misbranding case: Case No. 3:24-cv-00185, filed January 26, 2024.
Current Status
Who Is Affected & Can You Join?
The 2023 settlement is closed — no new claims. For the pending Live Fit case: U.S. purchasers of Celsius Live Fit energy drinks since November 24, 2022 may eventually qualify if it settles — but no settlement exists yet.
Is There a Payout?
Case Timeline
- 1
Class Action Filed (2022)
Consumers allege Celsius falsely labeled beverages 'no preservatives' when citric acid — a preservative — was present.
- 2
$7.8M Settlement Reached (Late 2022)
Celsius Holdings agrees to a $7.8M settlement covering purchases from Jan 1, 2015 to Nov 23, 2022, with no admission of wrongdoing.
- 3
Final Approval & Payouts (Apr–Jun 2023)
Claims deadline passed Feb 13, 2023; final approval April 5, 2023; payouts distributed June 2023.
- 4
Live Fit Misbranding Suit Filed (Jan 2024)
A new class action alleges Celsius Live Fit makes drug-like fat-burning/metabolism claims without FDA approval.
- 5
Live Fit Case Pending (2025–2026)
The misbranding case continues through federal court; no settlement or trial date publicly announced.
Scam & Misinformation Warnings
Whenever a brand lawsuit goes viral, scam sites and bad actors follow. Watch for these red flags:
Fake Claim Submission Sites
The 2023 claims period is closed; any site accepting new claims for that settlement — or charging a 'processing fee' — is fraudulent.
'Up to $250' Misleading Headlines
Actual claimants received ~$0.66–$1.89 due to claim volume. Any site promising hundreds of dollars now is outdated or misleading.
Celsius Crypto Confusion
Searches for 'Celsius lawsuit' often surface Celsius Network, the bankrupt crypto platform — a completely separate company. This page covers only the energy-drink brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as the Celsius Network crypto lawsuit?
No. Celsius Holdings is an energy-drink company. Celsius Network was a crypto lender that collapsed in 2022. They are entirely different companies and lawsuits.
Can I still file a claim for the $7.8M settlement?
No. The deadline was February 13, 2023 and payouts were distributed in June 2023. The settlement is fully closed.
How much did people actually receive?
Despite a theoretical $250 maximum (with proof) or $20 (without), high claim volume meant most claimants received about $0.66 to $1.89.
What is the Celsius Live Fit lawsuit about?
A 2024 class action alleges Celsius Live Fit makes drug-like claims — accelerating metabolism, burning body fat — without FDA approval, constituting misbranding under federal law.
Who was eligible for the 2023 settlement?
Consumers who bought Celsius beverages between January 1, 2015 and November 23, 2022. The claim window has passed.
Is there a new Celsius lawsuit I can join in 2026?
The Live Fit misbranding case (filed January 2024) is still pending and covers purchases since November 24, 2022. However, no settlement has been reached and there is no claim form yet.
Did Celsius admit wrongdoing?
No. Celsius Holdings settled the 2023 case without any admission of liability, which is standard in class settlements.
Separate from this case: were you injured in the last 2 years?
Class-action payouts are fixed amounts through an administrator. A personal injury claim is a different case — and often worth far more. Free estimate, no obligation.