Starbucks faces lawsuit over alleged labor abuse, undisclosed chemicals in products

Starbucks could find itself in hot water.

The coffee giant is being sued for allegedly misleading consumers about human rights abuses and undisclosed chemicals in its products.

Investigation reveals ‘egregious’ labor practices

Company packaging stated that Starbucks is “Committed to 100% Ethical Coffee Sourcing,” but further investigation by journalists and labor organizations revealed farms under Starbucks’ Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE) Practices program have “repeatedly engaged in egregious labor abuses” and “degrading working conditions,” according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

The complaint alleged the farms forced workers into dangerous conditions without protective gear and subjected them to unacceptable housing. It added that when Starbucks was notified of the conditions, the company allegedly refused to disclose what steps were being taken to remedy them.

Starbucks packaging touts a commitment to “100% Ethical Coffee Sourcing.” (Photo courtesy of Hagens Berman)

Undisclosed chemicals found in Starbucks products

The lawsuit also claimed Starbucks’ “100% Arabica coffee” label misleads customers into believing the product is pure, when it may contain undisclosed chemicals.

Independent testing of Starbucks’ decaf house blend medium roast coffee revealed the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including methylene chloride, benzene, and toluene, according to the lawsuit.

Methylene chloride is a chemical that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems unsafe. Additionally, benzene was detected at a level higher than the EPA considers safe.

Meanwhile, the chemical toluene “is not authorized for use as a food ingredient or processing aid and is commonly associated with industrial solvents, packaging materials, and manufacturing processes rather than ingestible products,” the lawsuit stated.

Ultimately, the lawsuit argued that Starbucks deceived consumers not just through its claims but through what it failed to disclose.

Lawsuit seeks monetary damages, transparency

Attorneys noted that if the lawsuit results in a settlement, qualifying consumers would receive benefits, and the court would determine a reasonable fee for the legal team.

Beyond monetary damages, the lawsuit seeks to compel Starbucks to disclose the presence of VOCs in its products and to stop marketing its coffee as “100% ethically sourced” unless that claim is true.

“Plaintiffs assert claims on behalf of themselves and a class of consumers under Washington and New York consumer protection statutes and for common law fraud,” the complaint stated, noting the lawsuit seeks “damages, restitution, and injunctive relief.”

Starbucks calls claims ‘inaccurate’

Starbucks responded to the lawsuit.

“We take the allegations raised in the Williams and Strauss lawsuit seriously, but we firmly believe they are inaccurate and misrepresent both our sourcing practices and the integrity of our Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE) Practices program,” a company spokesperson stated in an email to KIRO Newsradio.

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.