LMNT Electrolyte Drinks: "Clean" Claims Questioned by Lawsuit

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims LMNT electrolyte drink mixes falsely market themselves as clean, healthy, and diet-compatible while secretly containing significant amounts of maltodextrin, a highly processed carbohydrate.

Consumers Affected: New York consumers who purchased LMNT electrolyte drink mixes.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Electrolyte drink maker LMNT is facing a proposed class action lawsuit over claims that it falsely markets its products as clean, healthy, and compatible with keto and paleo diets while secretly packing in a processed additive that does the opposite.

Two New York consumers filed the lawsuit saying LMNT’s powdered drink mixes contain significant amounts of maltodextrin, a highly processed carbohydrate with a sky-high glycemic index, making it especially harmful to those on low-carb diets. The plaintiffs say they wouldn’t have purchased the drink, or would’ve paid less, had they known the truth.

Customers Say "Keto-Friendly" Mixes Contain Unlisted Maltodextrin

Michael Sciortino and Josh Sawyer filed the lawsuit saying they relied on LMNT’s marketing, which promotes the drink as "keto-friendly," "paleo-friendly," and free from "dodgy ingredients." The company also emphasizes its mix contains only three main ingredients: sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

But according to the complaint, LMNT actually contains more maltodextrin per serving than potassium and magnesium combined, between 300 and 450 milligrams of the additive, which isn’t disclosed on the label. Instead, LMNT reportedly hides it under the vague term "natural flavors,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit claims this omission, combined with LMNT’s health-focused branding, inflated the product’s price and misled health-conscious consumers into thinking they were getting a clean, minimally processed supplement.

Highly Processed Sweetener Allegedly Spikes Blood Sugar

Maltodextrin is a refined, high-glycemic filler made through industrial processing. Research shows it can raise blood sugar levels even more rapidly than table sugar. It’s often used to carry flavors in powdered drinks, but it clashes directly with the very dietary principles LMNT claims to support.

For keto and paleo adherents, who aim to avoid processed carbs and additives, the inclusion of maltodextrin is a dealbreaker. The lawsuit notes that LMNT promotes its mixes as fitting into a "whole foods diet" while quietly adding an ingredient that doesn’t come close to meeting that standard.

Recent online admissions by LMNT’s founders confirmed the presence of maltodextrin, contradicting earlier claims that the product didn’t contain any.

Supplement Industry Faces Mounting Challenges Over Ingredient Transparency

LMNT isn’t alone in facing scrutiny for misleading health claims. Coca-Cola was recently sued for labeling sodas like Sprite as having “100% Natural Flavors” despite containing synthetic ingredients. Kraft Heinz’s Capri Sun and yogurt giant Chobani have also been hit with lawsuits over supposedly “all natural” products containing processed additives.

Even celebrity-backed supplement brands are under the microscope. Lemme, a company co-founded by Kourtney Kardashian Barker, is facing legal action over marketing weight-loss supplements that allegedly don’t contain the active ingredients they claim to.

Sciortino and Sawyer want to represent other New York consumers who bought LMNT electrolyte drink mixes. They are suing for violations of the state’s business laws and are seeking damages, fees, costs, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Sciortino, et al. v. Drink LMNT, Inc.
• Case Number: 25-cv-3126
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Raphael Janove (Janove PLLC)
• Caleb L. Marker and Ryan J. Ellersick (Zimmerman Reed LLP)

Do you use LMNT electrolyte mixes? What are your thoughts on these ingredient allegations? Share your opinion below.