Starbucks faces lawsuit alleging sugar content in its so-called sugar-free protein drinks

A federal lawsuit filed in Washington state targets eight Starbucks hot and iced protein drinks, such as the sugar-free vanilla and caramel protein lattes, alleging they contain between 13 and 21 grams of sugar in a venti size. The plaintiffs, three shoppers from California, New York and Washington, argue that the "sugar-free" designation misleads consumers and request an injunction against the labeling. Starbucks responded that the claims lack merit, emphasizing that its product information across menus, the website and the app is transparent and that the sugar present comes naturally from milk, while flavoring syrups are sugar-free.

Registered dietitian Nicolette Pace explained that lactose in milk is a naturally occurring sugar and that "sugar-free" differs from "no added sugar" under FDA guidelines. Internist Dr. Michael Aziz added that FDA standards require less than 0.5 gram of sugar per serving for a product to be labeled "sugar-free," and highlighted that naturally occurring sugars can still affect blood glucose. The suit also draws attention to other Starbucks drinks that can contain high sugar amounts, prompting experts to advise customers to consider portion size and customization.