A recent lawsuit filed against Starbucks in a U.S. federal court alleges that the coffee chain falsely advertised eight protein beverages as “sugar-free,” despite containing 13 to 21 grams of sugar per venti-size serving due to naturally occurring sugars in milk. The lawsuit accuses Starbucks of taking advantage of the protein trend and consumer nutritional preferences.
The drinks in question include sugar-free vanilla protein latte, sugar-free caramel protein latte, sugar-free vanilla protein matcha, and other variations, all available on both Starbucks U.S. and Canada websites under the “protein beverages” section. Although these beverages are listed under a “no added sugar options” heading, they are labeled as “sugar-free.”
Starbucks introduced these protein beverages in September 2025, aiming to cater to the increasing demand for protein consumption. However, the lawsuit highlights that the term “sugar-free” is misleading since milk, a key ingredient in these drinks, naturally contains lactose, a form of sugar.
Both U.S. and Canadian laws have regulations on labeling products as “sugar-free,” with specific limits on sugar content. The lawsuit emphasizes that Starbucks’ use of the term “sugar-free” despite the presence of sugar in the drinks violates consumer protection laws in both countries.
The complaint seeks damages for false advertising and violations of consumer protection laws, with a request to certify the lawsuit as a class action. Consumers who avoid sugar for health reasons, such as diabetes, find such mislabeling significant, according to the lawsuit.
Starbucks has defended its labeling practices, stating that it provides clear information on the nutritional content of its beverages and intends to vigorously defend against the claims made in the lawsuit.