Starbucks Faces Lawsuit Over Misleading “Sugar-Free” Labeling

When ordering a beverage labeled “sugar-free” at Starbucks, what should you really expect? A new U.S. class-action lawsuit alleges that Starbucks falsely marketed eight protein drinks as “sugar-free,” despite containing 13 to 21 grams of sugar per venti-size serving due to the inherent sugar content in milk.

The lawsuit, filed in a Seattle federal court, claims Starbucks aimed to profit from the “protein craze” and consumers’ nutritional preferences by misleadingly labeling their beverages. Starbucks refuted the claims, emphasizing that they have consistently provided accurate information about their protein drinks and intend to defend themselves vigorously.

The drinks in question, including sugar-free vanilla and caramel protein lattes and matchas, are listed on both U.S. and Canadian Starbucks websites under the “protein beverages” section. Despite being categorized as “no added sugar options,” these drinks are currently labeled as “sugar-free.”

Although the sugar in these drinks comes from milk, which naturally contains lactose, the lawsuit argues that Starbucks’ “sugar-free” labeling is deceptive. U.S. federal law restricts using “sugar-free” for beverages with more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving, while Canadian regulations mandate less than 0.5 grams of sugars for a product to be labeled as sugar-free.

The lawsuit seeks damages for false advertising and violations of consumer protection laws, with three consumers from California, New York, and Washington spearheading the legal action. The lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate labeling for consumers, particularly those with health concerns like diabetes, who rely on such information when making purchasing decisions.