Starbucks sued for allegedly mislabeling ‘sugar-free’ protein drinks
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Starbucks → sue → drinks
Starbucks is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the coffee giant misleadingly markets eight protein beverages as “Sugar-Free” despite the drinks containing naturally occurring sugar from milk.
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drinks → face → milk
The lawsuit, filed Friday in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleges Starbucks’ “Sugar-Free” protein drinks contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar per venti serving.
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drinks → file → serving
The plaintiffs contend the product names violate federal regulations governing “sugar-free” labeling claims.
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names → contend → claims
Starbucks disputes the allegations.
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Starbucks → dispute → allegations
“We believe these claims have no merit,” a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement.
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spokesperson → believe → statement
“Starbucks has consistently and clearly provided information about its protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices and nutritional content across product announcements, menus, marketing materials, Starbucks.com and the Starbucks app, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.
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we → provide → matter
At the center of the dispute is the distinction between total sugar and added sugar.
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distinction → add → sugar
The plaintiffs acknowledge that Starbucks provides nutritional information showing the beverages contain sugar, but argue that using “Sugar-Free” in the product names is misleading.
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using → acknowledge → names
It is not about missing nutritional information,” the complaint states.
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complaint → miss → information
The sugar at issue is lactose naturally present in the milk used to make the beverages, according to the lawsuit.
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sugar → use → lawsuit
Figures cited in the complaint from Starbucks’ nutrition information show venti versions contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar.
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versions → cite → sugar
A venti Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha contains 21 grams, while a Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha contains 20 grams, according to the complaint.
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Matcha → contain → complaint
The lawsuit includes screenshots of Starbucks’ ordering pages showing those sugar amounts alongside the “Sugar-Free” product names.
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lawsuit → include → names
Starbucks has distinguished between total sugar and added sugar in descriptions of the beverages.
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Starbucks → distinguish → beverages
According to the complaint, Starbucks has described the products as containing “no added sugar” while also incorporating “Sugar-Free” into their names.
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Starbucks → accord → names
The plaintiffs argue that distinction does not satisfy federal requirements for a “sugar free” claim.
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distinction → argue → claim
The complaint cites Food and Drug Administration regulations that plaintiffs say permit a “sugar free” claim only when a food or beverage contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per reference amount customarily consumed and per labeled serving, among other requirements.
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food → cite → requirements
The plaintiffs allege Starbucks’ drinks exceed that threshold because of the lactose in the milk used to make them.
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drinks → allege → them
The lawsuit also alleges Starbucks fails to provide a calorie disclaimer that plaintiffs contend is required under FDA regulations when a “sugar free” claim is made on a product that is not labeled low or reduced calorie.
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that → allege → product
The complaint says the eight beverages contain roughly 270 to 340 calories per venti serving.
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beverages → say → serving
The allegations have not been adjudicated, and Starbucks denies any wrongdoing.
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Starbucks → adjudicate → wrongdoing
The lawsuit was brought by consumers Michael Walsh of California, Anne Legnini of New York and Elna Potter of Washington.
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lawsuit → bring → Washington
They are seeking to represent a nationwide class of customers who purchased the beverages, or alternatively separate classes of consumers in California, New York and Washington.
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who → seek → California
Starbucks launched its protein beverage lineup in September 2025 as the company sought to tap growing consumer demand for protein-enhanced drinks.
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company → launch → drinks
The plaintiffs are pursuing claims under consumer protection and false advertising laws in Washington, California and New York, along with claims for breach of implied warranty and unjust enrichment.
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plaintiffs → pursue → warranty
They are seeking damages and restitution as well as an order barring Starbucks from marketing beverages as “Sugar-Free” unless they meet the applicable requirements.
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they → seek → requirements
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