A federal lawsuit filed against Starbucks claims the coffee giant misleads customers with beverage options advertised as sugar-free despite containing substantial amounts of sugar. The legal action, brought forward by the law firm Hagens Berman on behalf of plaintiffs across California, Washington, and New York, points to nutritional data on the company's own website showing specific beverages contain upwards of 21 grams of sugar.
The complaint highlights items such as the twenty-ounce sugar-free caramel protein matcha, which lists 21 grams of sugar, and the twenty-four-ounce iced sugar-free vanilla protein matcha, which contains 17 grams. Legal representation for the plaintiffs emphasizes that precise labeling is critical for individuals managing conditions like diabetes or monitoring blood glucose levels, making misleading claims a serious health concern.
Starbucks has denied the allegations, stating through a spokesperson that the claims lack merit and that the company clearly provides nutritional content across its app, menus, and marketing materials. When questioned about the discrepancy between the sugar-free label and the nutritional facts, a company representative stated that the sugar originates from the milk's protein boost rather than added sweeteners, noting that the chain utilizes sugar-free flavors and adds no extra sugar.
Industry labeling standards typically distinguish between products containing zero sugar and those with no added sugar, a distinction that frequently appears on packaged juices containing naturally occurring sugars. Legal proceedings are ongoing as Starbucks intends to defend its labeling practices in court.
Starbucks Faces Lawsuit Over Sugar-Free Drinks Containing Sugar
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