Chocolate in Starbucks, Mars, and The Quaker Oats Company Products
Allegations: Misleadingly representing that cocoa has been harvested following ethical and environmentally responsible standards
Starbucks Cold Drinks
March 2018: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s dismissal of the case finding that no reasonable consumer would think a 12-ounce iced drink is 12 ounces of liquid with no ice and there are no allegations that Starbucks promised the drinks would contain a specific amount of liquid.
September 2016: The named plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the August dismissal of the case.
August 2016: A federal judge dismissed this case finding that the complaint failed to allege any viable claims.
May/June 2016: A false advertising class-action lawsuit was filed against Starbucks for allegedly misrepresenting that its cold drinks contain nearly double the amount of fluid ounces than they actually do. The complaint was originally filed in state court in May 2016 and transferred to federal court the next month. (Forouzesh et al v. Starbucks Corp., Case No. 16-cv-3830, C. D. CA.)
For more information about other class-action lawsuits filed against Starbucks and TINA.org’s coverage of the company, click here.
Class-Action Tracker
Starbucks Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink
Allegations: Falsely advertising that the flavor comes from vanilla when the ingredients list shows that the flavor comes from unspecified “Natural Flavor”
Starbucks Stores
November 2020: A federal judge dismissed all of the claims When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. concluding that the plaintiffs failed to allege that Starbucks…
Starbucks Sour Gummies
September 2019: This case was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled. for undisclosed reasons after a federal judge…
The Caffeine in Starbucks Espresso Beverages
In February 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Starbucks alleging that it misleads consumers by making them believe that large (or Venti-sized) espresso beverages contain more espresso and caffeine…
Starbucks White Chocolate Doubleshot Energy Drink
In October 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Starbucks for allegedly deceptively advertising that its White Chocolate Doubleshot Energy Drink contains white chocolate when, according to the complaint, the…
Starbucks Lattes
January 2018: A federal judge granted summary judgment in this case concluding that plaintiffs failed to show that lattes contain less than the amount promised on menus. September 2016: Plaintiffs…
Starbucks Doubleshot® Espresso
Two class-action lawsuits were filed against Starbucks for allegedly falsely advertising its Doubleshot® Espresso products as having two shots of espresso when, according to plaintiffs, the drinks contain significantly less…
Starbucks Espresso Beverages
September 2016: After the case was transferred to a California court, the named plaintiff agreed to become a named plaintiff in another case making the same allegations, Strumlauf et al…
Starbucks Cold and Iced Drinks
November 2016: A federal judge denied plaintiff’s motion to file an amended complaint because the motion did not include any new material allegations or argument. October 2016: A federal judge…
Advertised Prices for Breakfast Sandwiches at Starbucks
August 2016: A state judge preliminarily approved a settlement of this action. According to the settlement terms, customers who purchased a reduced fat turkey bacon breakfast sandwich or a sausage…
The Packaging of Starbucks Frappuccino® and Iced Coffee
February 2016: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons have not been disclosed. March 2015: A class-action lawsuit was…
Tassimo Coffee Brewers and Starbucks
May 2016: The Sixth Circuit dismissed the appeal of the District Court’s denial of class certification and affirmed both the decision to dismiss breach of warranty claims and the attorney’s…
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