A lawsuit has been filed against Starbucks in the U.S., alleging that the coffee chain falsely advertised eight protein beverages as “sugar-free” when they actually contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar per venti-size serving due to the naturally occurring sugar in milk. The lawsuit claims that Starbucks attempted to capitalize on the protein trend and customer nutritional preferences by mislabeling the drinks.
Starbucks responded by stating that they believe the lawsuit’s claims lack merit and that they have consistently provided clear information about their protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices, and nutritional content. The company intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations.
The drinks in question include sugar-free vanilla protein latte, sugar-free caramel protein latte, sugar-free vanilla protein matcha, sugar-free caramel protein matcha, iced sugar-free vanilla protein latte, iced sugar-free caramel protein latte, iced sugar-free vanilla protein matcha, and iced sugar-free caramel protein matcha. These beverages are listed on both U.S. and Canadian Starbucks websites under “protein beverages” and are promoted as part of Starbucks’ protein-focused offerings.
Despite being labeled as “sugar-free,” each beverage contains sugar ranging from 13 to 21 grams per venti-size serving. The lawsuit highlights that the milk in these drinks naturally contains lactose, a form of sugar, which contradicts the sugar-free labeling.
The lawsuit argues that Starbucks’ labeling is misleading and violates consumer protection laws. U.S. federal law prohibits using “sugar-free” to describe beverages with more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving, even if the sugar comes from milk. Similarly, Canadian regulations mandate that products labeled as sugar-free must contain less than 0.5 grams of sugars per serving.
The complaint seeks damages for false advertising and violations of consumer protection laws. It also aims to have the lawsuit certified as a class action and requests a jury trial. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three consumers who purchased Starbucks’ sugar-free protein drinks in California, New York, and Washington.
Consumers have expressed concerns about the mislabeling, especially those who avoid sugar for health reasons such as diabetes. The lawsuit underscores the significance of accurate labeling for consumers who rely on such information when making purchasing decisions.