One of the hottest new energy bars may have more than just protein packed inside — they might also be hiding a hefty helping of unreported calories, furious customers claim in a new lawsuit.
Three consumers are suing Linus Technologies Inc., the corporate entity behind David Protein (yes, the bars you see advertised all over the NYC subway), claiming the meal replacements misrepresent both calorie and fat content.
Lead plaintiff Daniella Lopez filed a class-action complaint on Jan. 23 in New York federal court.
The bars, including Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon Roll, and Fudge Brownie flavors, are marketed as 150 calories with 2 grams of fat, with boasts of having the best calorie to protein ratio in the business.
But the lawsuit alleges some bars exceed the calorie count by up to 83% — and fat by a whopping 400%.
The plaintiffs claim David Protein knowingly misled shoppers into paying premium prices for what they thought was a “clean” snack — a claim the lawsuit argues violates U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, which limit nutrient misrepresentation to no more than 20% above the declared value.
The trio is seeking damages and restitution and are demanding a jury trial.
Peter Rahal, founder of David Protein and co-founder of RXBar, fired back in a recent interview with Vanity Fair.
“This particular claim, among other things, fails to understand how the FDA measures the calories for EPG, one of our key ingredients,” he said. “We intend to defend this claim vigorously.”
Since launching in September 2024, David Protein bars have become a viral sensation, thanks to their high-protein, low-calorie formula (28 grams of protein, 150 calories), Epogee’s EPG fat substitute, and a minimalist “zero sugar” ethos.
The brand has quickly hit a $725 million valuation, with ~$140 million projected in first-year revenue.
Social media, of course, had a field day with the news this week.
On TikTok, one user compared the lawsuit to the infamous Kälteen Bar plot in “Mean Girls” — in which Regina George is tricked into thinking high-calorie bars are a diet snack.
“You just got Regina George’d,” quipped another, gasping over the David bars on grocery shelves.
Not all reactions were playful. One content creator called the snack the “worst protein bar” she had “ever had” and said she thought so before the lawsuit went viral: “They taste like sand. You are on crack if you think these taste good.”
Another fitness industry veteran took to Instagram and added, “Anything with that low of carbs & fats in bar form is either too good to be true OR so full of fake crap it’s going to make you bloated.”
An additional David hater filmed himself after “having the absolute displeasure” of consuming one of the bars and humorously read its label aloud, laughing at lines describing the product as “the most effective portable protein on Earth” and “superior protein for the human form.”
He scathingly added that the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bars in particular “taste like powdered dog poo” and to top it off, “aren’t cheap.”
As the class action moves forward, it seems David Protein’s “clean label” image might be in as much trouble as Regina George’s wardrobe back in 2004.
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