Starbucks Faces Lawsuit Over Allegedly Misleading 'Sugar-Free' Protein Drinks

Starbucks is facing a lawsuit alleging that eight of its "sugar-free" protein drinks contain significant amounts of sugar, potentially misleading consumers and violating federal labeling laws. The suit, filed in a Seattle federal court by the law firm Hagens Berman, claims that these beverages contain more sugar than a Reese's peanut butter cup.

The lawsuit cites Starbucks' own website, which lists between 13 and 21 grams of sugar in the affected protein drinks. For comparison, a single Reese's peanut butter cup contains 11 grams of sugar, and two contain 22 grams. An original glazed Krispy Kreme donut has 10 grams of sugar.

According to the suit, these drinks include four warm varieties: Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha, and Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha. Four iced versions are also named: Iced Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Iced Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, Iced Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha, and Iced Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha.

Starbucks has stated that the sugar content in these drinks comes from the protein-boosted milk used, not from added sugars or syrups. A company spokesperson asserted that Starbucks does not add sugar to these drinks and uses a sugar-free syrup for flavoring. The spokesperson also said, "We believe these claims have no merit." Starbucks maintains that it has consistently provided clear information about its protein beverages, including nutritional content, on its website, app, menus, and marketing materials, and intends to defend itself vigorously.

The plaintiffs allege that the chain's marketing of these products as "sugar-free" is "false, deceptive and unlawful." Federal law permits the label "sugar-free" only on beverages containing no more than 0.5 grams of sugar per reference amount. The lawsuit argues that the FDA established this requirement because consumers associate "sugar-free" with low-calorie or reduced-calorie products.

The law firm highlighted that the amount of sugar in the "sugar-free" beverages approaches the daily sugar recommendations set by the American Heart Association: nearly as much as the 25 grams recommended for women and nearly two-thirds of the 36 grams recommended for men.

The suit was filed on behalf of three individuals in California, New York, and Washington who purchased the "sugar-free" protein drinks. It seeks unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent Starbucks from continuing to label products containing sugar as "sugar-free."

Starbucks introduced its protein drinks in September 2025, aiming to meet consumer demand for protein-enhanced beverages and compete with offerings from other chains like Dutch Bros, which launched its own protein drinks in 2024.