{
  "id": 12210781,
  "title": "Starbucks sued over 'sugar-free' claims for protein beverages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/starbucks-sued-over-sugar-free-claims-for-protein-beverages-12210781",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-05T19:17:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261006/starbucks-sued-over-sugar-free-claims-for-protein-beverages"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Korea Times reports that Starbucks is facing a lawsuit over false advertising claims for its sugar-free protein beverages. Consumers argue that the coffee chain falsely marketed eight protein beverages as sugar-free when, in reality, they contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per 20- or 24-ounce venti serving. Federal law dictates that Starbucks cannot use the \"sugar-free\" label for beverages containing more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving. The complaint states that Starbucks attempted to capitalize on the 75 percent of Americans who aim to reduce or eliminate sugar consumption. Starbucks dismissed the claims, stating that they have consistently provided accurate information about their protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices, and nutritional content across various channels.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Starbucks sued over ’sugar-free’ claims for protein beverages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/starbucks-sued-over-sugar-free-claims-for-protein-beverages",
        "published": "2026-10-05T15:00:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Starbucks sued over 'sugar-free' claims for protein beverages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/starbucks-sued-over-sugar-free-claims-for-protein-beverages-12214797",
        "published": "2026-10-05T19:42:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "A lawsuit accuses Starbucks of mislabeling 8 ‘sugar-free’ protein drinks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/a-lawsuit-accuses-starbucks-of-mislabeling-8-sugar-free-protein-drinks",
        "published": "2026-10-05T20:52:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}