Starbucks faces a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. over allegedly misleading “sugar-free” labels on eight protein beverages. The lawsuit claims that despite being labeled sugar-free, the drinks contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar per venti serving due to the naturally occurring sugar in milk. The lawsuit accuses Starbucks of taking advantage of the protein trend to appeal to customers’ nutritional preferences.
Starbucks has defended its labeling, stating that they have consistently provided information about their products’ nutritional content and customization options. The lawsuit raises questions about whether the drinks are truly sugar-free and if the labeling is deceptive, impacting both U.S. and Canadian markets.
The lawsuit lists the eight beverages in question, all marketed as sugar-free protein options. While Starbucks launched these drinks in response to customer demand for more protein options, the lawsuit argues that the sugar content in these beverages contradicts the sugar-free labeling.
The issue highlighted in the lawsuit is not the source of the sugar but the misleading nature of the sugar-free label. U.S. federal law prohibits beverages labeled as sugar-free from containing more than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving, while Canadian regulations require less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving for sugar-free labeling.
The complaint seeks damages for false advertising and violations of consumer protection laws. It also aims to certify the lawsuit as a class action and demands a jury trial. Consumers’ concerns about misleading labels, especially for those avoiding sugar due to health reasons like diabetes, are at the core of this legal action against Starbucks.