In a class action lawsuit that could reshape consumer perceptions of health products, a plaintiff has accused a beverage company of misleading advertising. On February 17, 2026, Lachae Vickers filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Halfday Tonics Inc., alleging that the company's claims about its iced tea being "good for your gut" and having "prebiotic benefits" are both false and misleading.
According to the complaint, Halfday Tonics markets its iced tea as containing prebiotics due to its blend of soluble fibers—cassava root fiber, fructan fiber, and agave inulin. The company suggests that these ingredients promote gut health. However, Vickers argues that the amount of fiber per can is insufficient to provide any real health benefits unless consumed in large quantities over an extended period. Furthermore, she claims that consuming multiple cans daily would lead to excessive sugar intake, which could negate any potential benefits and even harm consumers' health by altering their microbiome negatively.
The lawsuit further details how Halfday's marketing strategy relies heavily on these health claims without specifying how much of the product needs to be consumed to achieve the advertised benefits. Vickers contends this creates a false expectation among consumers that just one can is beneficial for gut health. She cites studies indicating that significant amounts of these fibers must be ingested consistently over weeks to have any effect, rendering Halfday's claims misleading at best.
Vickers seeks monetary damages exceeding $5 million for herself and other similarly affected consumers under New York General Business Law §§ 349-50 and other states' consumer protection laws. The lawsuit also demands injunctive relief to prevent Halfday from continuing its alleged deceptive practices. Vickers accuses Halfday of unjust enrichment by profiting from these misleading claims and calls for restitution and disgorgement of profits gained through such practices.
Representing Vickers are attorneys Raphael Janove and Max Ian Fiest from Janove PLLC. The case has been assigned Case No. 2:26-cv-935 in front of an unspecified judge.
Source: 226cv00935_Vickers_v_Halfday_Tonics_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf