Starbucks Refreshers
Allegations: Beverages do not contain the fruits advertised in the product name
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 engaged in deceptive practices or false advertising. The judge also concluded that reasonable consumers would understand that many of the advertising claims in the complaint constitute puffery (statements of subjective opinions).
2019: A false advertising class-action lawsuit was filed against Starbucks alleging, among other things, that it misleadingly represents that its stores are “clean and well-maintained,” that it provides a “perfect” coffee experience, and that it sells “the best coffee for the best you” when, according to plaintiffs, certain Starbucks stores are unsanitary and use toxic pesticides, putting consumers at risk. The complaint was originally filed in state court in May, transferred to federal court in July, and amended in August. (George et al v. Starbucks Corp. d/b/a Starbucks Coffee Company, Case No. 19-cv-6185, S.D.N.Y.)
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Class-Action Tracker
Starbucks French Roast Ground Arabica Coffee
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as “100% Arabica Coffee” when they contain added potassium
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 Sprouted Grain Bagel
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing bagels as “Sprouted Grain” when they are made primarily with non-sprouted grains
Oatly, Glucerna and Others
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as healthy, safe, and high quality without disclosing that they may contain harmful bacteria
Starbucks Cold Brew Concentrate
Allegations: Coffee products contain fewer servings than advertised
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 Sour Gummies
The Caffeine in Starbucks Espresso Beverages
Starbucks Cold Drinks
Starbucks White Chocolate Doubleshot Energy Drink
Starbucks Lattes
Starbucks Doubleshot® Espresso
Starbucks Espresso Beverages
Starbucks Cold and Iced Drinks
Advertised Prices for Breakfast Sandwiches at Starbucks
The Packaging of Starbucks Frappuccino® and Iced Coffee
Tassimo Coffee Brewers and Starbucks
The Latest
Starbucks’ Ethically Sourced Coffee and Tea Claims
Lawsuit tells a different story about the treatment of workers on Starbucks’ source farms.
2020 Reasonable Consumer Quiz
See how you stack up.
Are You a ‘Reasonable Consumer’?
Courts weigh in on legal term.
CATrends: Fake White Chocolate
Stocking stuffer alert: These “white chocolate” treats are allegedly missing key ingredients.
Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso Beverages
Class-action complaint alleges “Doubleshot” drinks have less than two shots of espresso.