Consumers sue over ‘sugar-free’ protein drinks containing sugar
Starbucks is facing a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that its 'sugar-free' protein drinks contain significant amounts of sugar. The plaintiffs argue the labeling is misleading, while Starbucks maintains that the sugar is naturally occurring in the protein-boosted milk and that they do not add extra sugar.
Why it matters
This case highlights growing consumer scrutiny over nutritional labeling and the potential for legal action against major food corporations regarding health-related marketing claims.
A consumer lawsuit accuses Starbucks of adding sugar, sometimes as much as that in a KitKat bar, to drinks marketed as sugar-free. The products in question include hot and iced protein lattes and protein matcha beverages in vanilla and caramel flavors. According to the federal lawsuit filed Friday, these drinks contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per serving. “No reasonable person” would expect something labeled “sugar-free” to contain that much sugar, the lawsuit contends. “This case is about false and misleading product names. It is not about missing nutritional information,” according to the lawsuit. Starbucks denied misleading consumers with its menu in a statement Tuesday.
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