Starbucks is facing a consumer lawsuit alleging that eight of its protein drinks, advertised as sugar-free, contain substantial amounts of sugar. The suit, filed Friday in Seattle, contends that the company's labeling is false and deceptive.
According to the lawsuit, a 16-ounce "Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha" on Starbucks' U.S. menu contained 16 grams of sugar, while a 20-ounce version of the same drink had 21 grams. For comparison, a single Reese's peanut butter cup contains 11 grams of sugar.
The legal action was brought by Hagens Berman, a law firm specializing in class-action cases, on behalf of three consumers who purchased the drinks in California, New York, and Washington. The plaintiffs argue that the "sugar-free" labeling violates federal regulations and misleads consumers who avoid sugar for health reasons, such as managing diabetes or blood glucose levels.
Starbucks stated that the sugar present in these drinks comes from the protein-boosted milk used and that no sugar is added for flavoring; sugar-free syrup is used instead. The company also noted that its website clearly specifies the amount of sugar in each beverage and indicates the absence of added sugar.
A Starbucks spokesperson asserted that the company believes the claims lack merit. "Starbucks has consistently and clearly provided information about its protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices and nutritional content across product announcements, menus, marketing materials, Starbucks.com and the Starbucks app, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter," the spokesperson said.
Starbucks introduced its protein drinks in September 2025 to meet consumer demand for functional beverages and to compete with rivals like Dutch Bros, which launched its own protein-enhanced coffee drinks in 2024. A Dutch Bros protein latte, for instance, contains 7 grams of sugar and 11 grams of protein, while a comparable Starbucks drink has 9 grams of sugar and 29 grams of protein.
The lawsuit seeks damages for U.S. consumers who purchased these drinks and requests a court order compelling Starbucks to cease marketing products with sugar as "sugar-free."