A recent lawsuit challenges Starbucks over misleading “sugar-free” labeling on eight protein beverages, alleging they actually contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per venti-size serving due to natural sugars in milk. The lawsuit accuses Starbucks of taking advantage of the protein trend and customer preferences. Despite Starbucks defending their labeling, the lawsuit highlights the discrepancy between the actual sugar content and the “sugar-free” claim.
The drinks in question, such as sugar-free vanilla protein latte and sugar-free caramel protein matcha, are available in the U.S. and Canada. These beverages were introduced by Starbucks in September 2025 to cater to customers seeking protein options. Despite containing milk with naturally occurring lactose, Starbucks continues to label them as “sugar-free.”
The issue lies in the misrepresentation of the products as sugar-free while containing significant amounts of sugar. U.S. federal law restricts the use of “sugar-free” for beverages with over 0.5 grams of sugar per serving, including sugar from milk. Similarly, in Canada, products labeled as sugar-free must have less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving.
The lawsuit seeks damages for false advertising and violations of consumer protection laws. It aims to certify as a class action and involves consumers who purchased Starbucks’s sugar-free protein drinks in three states. The lawsuit raises concerns about mislabeling impacting consumers, particularly those avoiding sugar for health reasons.