Christine Drews Sieger
Starbucks faces a class-action lawsuit over allegations that its “sugar-free” protein drinks contain up to 21 grams of sugar.
Ordering a daily coffee has become routine for many, but navigating nutrition information on specialty menus can present challenges for consumers monitoring their sugar intake.
On Oct. 2, three consumers in California, New York, and Washington filed a class-action lawsuit against Starbucks in Washington state federal court.
The legal action targets eight hot and iced beverages from the chain’s protein line, including matcha drinks and specialty lattes.
According to the legal filing, venti-sized servings of these specific drinks contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar.
The suit claims that typical customers purchasing products marked “sugar-free” would not anticipate finding double-digit grams of sugar.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent Starbucks from marketing beverages with sugar content as “sugar-free.”
Additionally, the plaintiffs state they paid higher prices for the products than they would have for standard alternatives, according to Fox News.
Starbucks responds
Starbucks rejects the legal allegations. “We believe these claims have no merit,” a Starbucks spokesperson told Fox News.
The spokesperson noted that Starbucks details nutritional facts across product announcements, physical menus, marketing materials, its website, and its mobile app.
The company explained that while sugar-free syrups provide flavoring, the remaining sugar occurs naturally in protein-boosted milk rather than from added sweeteners.
Dietitians confirm that lactose in milk is considered a naturally occurring sugar rather than an added sweetener.
However, under official FDA standards, products labeled “sugar-free” generally must contain under 0.5 grams of sugar per serving.
Nutrition considerations
Health experts note that naturally occurring sugars still affect blood glucose levels, which remains an important factor for individuals managing diabetes.
Furthermore, medical professionals caution that standard specialty drinks can contain substantial amounts of sugar.
For instance, a venti Java Chip Frappuccino holds approximately 80 grams of sugar—exceeding the 63 grams typically found in a standard 20-ounce bottle of soda, according to Fox News.
To manage sugar intake, nutrition specialists suggest opting for smaller serving sizes and simpler choices, such as a basic latte or cappuccino.
The “sugar-free” debate
The dispute centers on what consumers can reasonably expect from the term “sugar-free.”
While Starbucks maintains that the sugar in the drinks comes naturally from milk rather than added sweeteners, the lawsuit argues that customers reasonably expect a “sugar-free” label to mean the beverage contains virtually no sugar, Fox News reports.
That distinction is at the heart of the plaintiffs’ complaint and could make the case significant for how food and beverage companies market products with naturally occurring sugars.
