Starbucks Sugar-Free Protein Beverage Class Action

Three consumers initiated a class action lawsuit against Starbucks Corp., alleging that the company marketed and sold eight different protein beverages under the "Sugar-Free" designation. The plaintiffs contend that these drinks contain substantial amounts of sugar, which they argue originates from lactose found naturally in milk, which is listed as an early ingredient in every beverage.

The core of the legal challenge revolves around U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, which dictate that a beverage can only be labeled "sugar-free" if it contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per customary reference amount. The plaintiffs assert that consumers would reasonably assume a "Sugar-Free" product contains no sugar, making the inclusion of 13 to 21 grams of sugar per serving misleading. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Starbucks omitted an FDA-required calorie disclaimer, especially since consumers might assume "sugar-free" drinks are low in calories.

The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide class of all individuals who purchased these drinks for personal or household use from the product's launch until class certification. The company maintains that the claims lack merit and intends to defend itself vigorously. The lawsuit demands a jury trial and seeks restitution and damages, while the plaintiffs' attorneys are represented by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP and Sterlington PLLC.