Current:Home > FinanceStarbucks faces lawsuit for tacking on charge for nondairy milk in drinks-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Starbucks faces lawsuit for tacking on charge for nondairy milk in drinks
View Date:2024-12-23 17:03:58
Three lactose-intolerant women are steamed over a surcharge for nondairy milk substitutions in Starbucks beverages.
California residents Maria Bollinger, Dawn Miller and Shunda Smith filed a lawsuit earlier this month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, alleging the coffee giant discriminated against customers with lactose allergies by charging them an extra fee for nondairy alternatives to its coffee-based drinks and other beverages.
"Starbucks charges customers with lactose intolerance and milk allergies an excessively high Surcharge to substitute Non-Dairy Alternatives in its drinks," according to the complaint, which seeks restitution as well as monetary damages.
The "excessively high" fee alleged in the suit involves a surcharge ranging from 50 cents to 80 cents on Starbucks beverages that contain nondairy, lactose-free options, such as soy, almond, coconut, oat and other plant-based milks.
Lactose intolerance, which affects 30 million to 50 million Americans, qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The plaintiffs claim that by charging extra for plant-based milks in their beverages, Starbucks violated their rights under the ADA and California Unruh Civil Rights Act, a law that bars businesses from discriminating against residents of the state on the basis of age, race, sex, disability and other criteria.
A Starbucks spokesperson said the company can't comment on pending litigation, but noted that domestic customers do have nondairy options at no extra charge.
"In U.S. Starbucks stores, at no additional cost, customers can add up to four ounces of nondairy milk to hot or iced brewed coffee or tea, cold brew and Americano beverages," the spokesperson said.
Members of the Starbucks' Rewards loyalty program also can redeem points to get nondairy milk when it is not part of the standard recipe.
"Additionally, customers can choose to customize any beverage with a non-dairy milk on the menu for an additional charge. This is similar to other beverage customizations, such as an additional espresso shot or syrup, the Starbucks spokesperson added, noting that pricing varies by market.
Starbucks isn't the only restaurant chain to come under fire for tacking on charges for plant-based milk. Dunkin' in January was hit with a similar suit, while a number of other coffee sellers around the country are also being called out for nondairy milk charges.
- In:
- Starbucks
veryGood! (12938)
Related
- Don't Miss This Sweet Moment Between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Dads at the Kansas City Chiefs Game
- Rangers hold off Astros in Game 2 to take commanding ALCS lead, stay perfect in MLB playoffs
- Montana judge keeps in place a ban on enforcement of law restricting drag shows, drag reading events
- Police search for suspected extremist accused of killing 2 Swedish soccer fans on a Brussels street
- Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light display in Manhattan changing up this season
- Justice Barrett expresses support for a formal US Supreme Court ethics code in Minnesota speech
- How Christina Aguilera Really Feels About Britney Spears' Upcoming Memoir
- Girl Scout troop treasurer arrested for stealing over $12,000: Police
- Elena Rose has made hits for JLo, Becky G and more. Now she's stepping into the spotlight.
- How China’s Belt and Road Initiative is changing after a decade of big projects and big debts
Ranking
- Why Josh O'Connor Calls Sex Scenes Least Sexy Thing After Challengers With Zendaya and Mike Faist
- UN refugee chief says Rohingya who fled Myanmar must not be forgotten during other world crises
- Swedish security police arrests two suspected of unauthorized possession of secret information
- National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says U.S. working on safe passage of Americans out of Gaza into Egypt
- Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
- California taxpayers get extended federal, state tax deadlines due to 2023 winter storms
- Greta Thunberg joins activists to disrupt oil executives’ forum in London
- Tennessee court to decide if school shooting families can keep police records from public release
Recommendation
-
Knicks Player Ogugua Anunoby Nearly Crashes Into Anne Hathaway and Her Son During NBA Game
-
Kansas earns No. 1 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports preseason men's basketball poll
-
U.S. book bans are taking a toll on a beloved tradition: Scholastic Book Fairs
-
A 1981 DeLorean with only 977 miles on it was unearthed in a Wisconsin barn
-
Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
-
Jail staffer warned Cavalcante was ‘planning an escape’ a month before busting out
-
A mountain lion in Pennsylvania? Residents asked to keep eye out after large feline photographed
-
Ex-Mississippi police officer pleads guilty in COVID-19 aid scheme, US Attorney says