Starbucks sued over 'sugar-free' claims for protein beverages - Bangkok Post

Protein beverages are advertised at a Starbucks in New York City on April 2026. (Photo: Reuters) Starbucks has been sued by consumers who said the coffee ​chain falsely advertised eight protein beverages ‌as "sugar-free" because they contain lactose, a naturally occurring sugar in milk.

According to a proposed class action filed on Friday, reasonable consumers would not expect the beverages to contain 13 to 21 grammes of ​sugar per 20- ⁠or 24-ounce "venti" serving.

Federal law prohibits Starbucks from using "sugar-free" to describe beverages containing more than 0.5 gramme of sugar per 12-ounce serving, the complaint said.

Consumers ‌accused Starbucks of trying to capitalise on the desire of 75% of Americans to reduce or eliminate sugar consumption. They also said Starbucks failed to provide federally required disclaimers ⁠that the protein beverages are not low-calorie food or meant for weight control.

A Starbucks spokesperson said in an email that the claims have no merit.

"Starbucks has consistently and clearly provided information about its protein beverages, sugar-free options, customisation choices and nutritional ​content across product announcements, menus, marketing materials, Starbucks.com and the Starbucks application, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves," the spokesperson said.

A lawyer ​for ‌the consumers did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. The complaint in Seattle federal court seeks unspecified damages for ​false ⁠advertising and violations of various state consumer protection laws.

Food producers are regularly sued for alleged false advertising, including in ⁠dozens of recent cases challenging "sugar-free" or "zero sugar" claims for products containing a sugar substitute known as allulose.

The eight Starbucks beverages are Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, Sugar-Free ⁠Vanilla Protein Matcha, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha and equivalent versions ​containing ice.

Starbucks' website says the beverages are "protein-packed" with "no added sugar," and venti servings contain between 270 and 340 calories. The website also shows that the beverages contain sugars. Starbucks launched the ‌beverages in September 2025 ⁠as part of its "Back to Starbucks" ​updated menu.