Lawsuit accuses Starbucks of mislabeling 8 'sugar-free' protein drinks

Starbucks is facing a consumer lawsuit over allegations that its marketed "sugar-free" protein drinks contain higher amounts of sugar than a Reese's peanut butter cup. Filed in Seattle, the federal lawsuit claims that eight of Starbucks' protein beverages sold in the US vary in sugar content despite being labeled as sugar-free. The lawsuit, initiated by Hagens Berman, a law firm specializing in class-action cases, represents three individual consumers who purchased the sugar-free protein drinks in California, New York, and Washington.

The drinks were listed on Starbucks' US website, including a 16-ounce Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha containing 16 grams of sugar and a 20-ounce version with 21 grams of sugar, both exceeding the sugar content of a Reese's peanut butter cup, which has 11 grams of sugar. Starbucks' menu and website state that the drinks are sweetened with sugar-free syrup and contain no added sugar.

The lawsuit asserts that Starbucks' labeling is "false, deceptive and unlawful" and violates federal regulations. Starbucks contends that these claims have no merit and that they have clearly provided information about their sugar-free protein drinks, including nutritional content, across various platforms. The case seeks damages for US consumers who purchased the drinks and an injunction to stop using the "sugar-free" label on products containing sugar.