Key facts
- Starbucks is being sued by consumers over claims that eight of its protein beverages are falsely advertised as "sugar-free."
- The lawsuit alleges the beverages contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per serving due to lactose, a naturally occurring sugar in milk.
- Federal law prohibits labeling products with more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving as "sugar-free."
- Consumers claim Starbucks failed to provide federally required disclaimers that the beverages are not low-calorie or meant for weight control.
- The beverages in question include Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, and their matcha and iced variants.
- The complaint was filed in Seattle federal court seeking unspecified damages.
Starbucks is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit from consumers who allege the coffee chain falsely advertised eight of its protein beverages as "sugar-free." The lawsuit, filed in Seattle federal court, contends that the beverages contain significant amounts of sugar from lactose, a natural sugar found in milk, which violates federal regulations for "sugar-free" labeling.
According to the complaint, reasonable consumers would not expect these beverages to contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar per 20- or 24-ounce "venti" serving. Federal law prohibits products with more than 0.5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving from being labeled "sugar-free."
The consumers accuse Starbucks of attempting to capitalize on the widespread desire among Americans to reduce sugar intake. They also claim the company failed to provide necessary disclaimers indicating that the protein beverages are not low-calorie or intended for weight control.
The eight beverages named in the suit include the Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha, and Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha, along with their iced versions. Starbucks' website states these drinks are "protein-packed" with "no added sugar" and contain between 270 and 340 calories per venti serving. These beverages were introduced in September 2025 as part of an updated menu.
Starbucks, based in Seattle, had no immediate comment on the lawsuit. The complaint seeks unspecified damages for false advertising and violations of various state consumer protection laws. The lawsuit follows a trend of similar legal challenges against food producers for alleged false advertising, particularly concerning "sugar-free" or "zero sugar" claims on products containing the sugar substitute allulose.