Starbucks Faces Lawsuit Over Fruit Drink Controversy; $5 Million to be Paid in Damages
- Posted on September 19, 2023
- News
- By Sakshi Gupta
- 463 Views

Starbucks finds itself in hot water as customers accuse the coffee giant of misleading them with its Refresher fruit drinks. The controversy revolves around drinks like Mango Dragonfruit, Pineapple Passionfruit, and Strawberry Açai, which, according to consumers, lack the fruits promised in their names.
US District Judge John Cronan in Manhattan has greenlit a class-action lawsuit against Starbucks, rejecting the coffee chain's bid to dismiss nine out of 11 claims. The lawsuit, initiated in August 2022 by Joan Kominis from Astoria, New York, and Jason McAllister from Fairfield, California, seeks damages exceeding $5 million.
Customers allege that Starbucks violated consumer protection laws by charging a premium for drinks that don't live up to their fruit-flavored names. While Starbucks defended itself by arguing that the names describe flavor profiles, not ingredients, Judge Cronan pointed out that terms like 'mango,' 'passionfruit,' and 'açaí' commonly imply the presence of the actual fruit.
The confusion is exacerbated by Starbucks' other products like the Ice Matcha Tea Latte and Honey Citrus Mint Tea, which do contain the named ingredients.
Although two claims, fraud and unjust enrichment, were dismissed for lack of evidence of fraudulent intent, the lawsuit marches forward. Starbucks insists the claims are "inaccurate and without merit" and is eager to present its case in court.
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