Michelle Obama appeared at a Costco in Livermore, California, in September 2024 to promote PLEZi, the beverage company she cofounded. She was there for a brand promotion—not as a Costco employee—and the appearance was a one-time event reported earlier that month.
What happened at the Livermore Costco?
On September 19, 2024, Eater SF reported that Obama had appeared earlier that week at a Costco in Livermore, in California’s East Bay. She showed shoppers a 12-pack of PLEZi. A video of the appearance circulated on TikTok, and the company said it planned to release its own video that afternoon.
The headline’s “selling soda” is shorthand for promoting the brand. The account establishes what she promoted at that 2024 event; it does not establish that the same pack is currently sold at Costco or that the appearance is recurring.
What is PLEZi?
PLEZi is a beverage company co-founded by Obama. Eater reported that it launched in May 2024; the company’s official site describes Obama as its co-founder and strategic partner. The brand presents its work as an effort to change how food and drinks are made and marketed, building on her White House-era Let’s Move! child-nutrition initiative.
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- BETTER-FOR-YOU HYDRATION WITH REAL FRUIT JUICE: Zero added sugar, 9g natural sugar, no artificial sweeteners, colors, or dyes. PLEZi is the clean sports hydration choice for kids, adults, and active families.
- 2X ELECTROLYTES VS. LEADING SPORTS DRINKS: Twice the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks to support performance during games, workouts, and school days. Ideal for anyone ditching sugary drinks without sacrificing hydration.
- 560MG POTASSIUM FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY: 7x more potassium than leading sports drinks with a balanced sodium-potassium formula that supports rehydration and muscle recovery after basketball, soccer, or any physical activity.
- CREATED WITH STEPHEN CURRY: Designed alongside NBA All-Star Stephen Curry with 100% daily Vitamin C and zero caffeine — only real sports hydration for all ages, not an energy drink.
- STOCK UP AND SAVE: 12-pack of 16.9 fl oz bottles. Perfect for lunchboxes, game day coolers, and bulk family orders. Subscribe & Save for convenient, recurring delivery.
On its story page, Obama explains the initial focus: “Our initial focus is on beverages because that’s where so much added sugar is consumed.” That is the company’s stated rationale, not evidence that any one product solves childhood nutrition challenges.
What drinks does PLEZi make now?
PLEZi’s site currently lists three lines: PLEZi FiZZ, PLEZi Hydration, and juice boxes. The company says its products are available nationally on Amazon. That broad availability statement does not confirm a particular current listing, seller, price, Costco location, or whether a current product matches the 12-pack Obama showed in 2024.
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- BETTER-FOR-YOU HYDRATION WITH REAL FRUIT JUICE: Zero added sugar, 9g natural sugar, no artificial sweeteners, colors, or dyes. PLEZi is the clean sports hydration choice for kids, adults, and active families.
- 2X ELECTROLYTES VS. LEADING SPORTS DRINKS: Twice the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks to support performance during games, workouts, and school days. Ideal for anyone ditching sugary drinks without sacrificing hydration.
- 560MG POTASSIUM FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY: 7x more potassium than leading sports drinks with a balanced sodium-potassium formula that supports rehydration and muscle recovery after basketball, soccer, or any physical activity.
- CREATED WITH STEPHEN CURRY: Designed alongside NBA All-Star Stephen Curry with 100% daily Vitamin C and zero caffeine — only real sports hydration for all ages, not an energy drink.
- STOCK UP AND SAVE: 12-pack of 16.9 fl oz bottles. Perfect for lunchboxes, game day coolers, and bulk family orders. Subscribe & Save for convenient, recurring delivery.
How does PLEZi describe its sugar content?
PLEZi’s FAQ, accessed October 4, 2026, publishes the comparisons below. They are brand-provided figures, not independent nutritional analysis or evidence of health outcomes. The serving sizes and beverage categories matter when comparing them.
| PLEZi product | PLEZi’s stated sugar amount | Brand’s comparison | Other brand-stated details |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLEZi FiZZ | 10 g per 12-ounce serving | 40 g in an average leading regular soft drink; PLEZi calls its amount 75% less | 3 g fiber and 100% daily value of vitamin C; not a low-calorie food |
| PLEZi Hydration | 12 g per 16.9-ounce bottle | 28 g in the cited leading regular sports drink | PLEZi says it has no added sugar; its sugar comes from fruit juice; not a low-calorie food |
| PLEZi juice | 5 g per 6.75-ounce serving | 21 g in the cited average leading fruit juices | PLEZi says it has no added sugar; its sugar comes from fruit juice; not a low-calorie food |
PLEZi describes FiZZ as carbonated and made with real fruit juice, without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Its “75% less” comparison applies to the company’s stated sugar amounts for the specified serving and comparison—not to every soft drink or to calories. PLEZi explicitly says FiZZ is not a low-calorie food.
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- BETTER-FOR-YOU HYDRATION WITH REAL FRUIT JUICE: Zero added sugar, 9g natural sugar, no artificial sweeteners, colors, or dyes. PLEZi is the clean sports hydration choice for kids, adults, and active families.
- 2X ELECTROLYTES VS. LEADING SPORTS DRINKS: Twice the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks to support performance during games, workouts, and school days. Ideal for anyone ditching sugary drinks without sacrificing hydration.
- 560MG POTASSIUM FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY: 7x more potassium than leading sports drinks with a balanced sodium-potassium formula that supports rehydration and muscle recovery after basketball, soccer, or any physical activity.
- CREATED WITH STEPHEN CURRY: Designed alongside NBA All-Star Stephen Curry with 100% daily Vitamin C and zero caffeine — only real sports hydration for all ages, not an energy drink.
- STOCK UP AND SAVE: 12-pack of 16.9 fl oz bottles. Perfect for lunchboxes, game day coolers, and bulk family orders. Subscribe & Save for convenient, recurring delivery.
For context on the brand’s broader message, Eater reproduced this line from Obama’s introductory letter: “It’s going to take all of us — business, government, advocates, doctors, parents, and folks like you — doing our part to raise a healthier generation of kids.” It expresses the company’s appeal for shared responsibility; it is not a product-specific health claim.
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- REAL JUICE: AriZona Fruit Punch provides a sophisticated take on a childhood favorite. Made using a real fruit juice blend and cane sugar.
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- BULK CASE Includes twelve 23 Ounce Bottled Teas. Just the right size for lunch or snack. Great for anyone who's always on the go.
Rank #4
- BETTER-FOR-YOU HYDRATION WITH REAL FRUIT JUICE: Zero added sugar, 9g natural sugar, no artificial sweeteners, colors, or dyes. PLEZi is the clean sports hydration choice for kids, adults, and active families.
- 2X ELECTROLYTES VS. LEADING SPORTS DRINKS: Twice the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks to support performance during games, workouts, and school days. Ideal for anyone ditching sugary drinks without sacrificing hydration.
- 560MG POTASSIUM FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY: 7x more potassium than leading sports drinks with a balanced sodium-potassium formula that supports rehydration and muscle recovery after basketball, soccer, or any physical activity.
- CREATED WITH STEPHEN CURRY: Designed alongside NBA All-Star Stephen Curry with 100% daily Vitamin C and zero caffeine — only real sports hydration for all ages, not an energy drink.
- STOCK UP AND SAVE: 12-pack of 16.9 fl oz bottles. Perfect for lunchboxes, game day coolers, and bulk family orders. Subscribe & Save for convenient, recurring delivery.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
