Health

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Starbucks Sued Over Misleading Sugar-Free Claims

At the beginning of October, three consumers sued Starbucks (see complaint) alleging that many of the beverages sold by the company and advertised as “sugar-free” in fact contain substantial amounts of sugar.

For example, their Caramel Protein Matcha is promoted as sugar-free:

Caramel Protein Matcha

However, when more detail is presented, Starbucks changed the claim from “sugar-free” to “no added sugar” and disclosed that this size drink actually contains 16 grams of sugar which is four teaspoons.

*MOUSE PRINT:

"no added sugar"

The sugar here is natural sugar (lactose) from the added milk which is a major ingredient.

Matcha ingredients

Under federal law, “sugar-free” is a defined term meaning the food can contain no more than half a gram of sugar.

Consumers may reasonably be expected to regard terms that represent that the food contains no sugars or sweeteners e.g., “sugar free,” or “no sugar,” as indicating a product which is low in calories or significantly reduced in calories.

The term “no added sugar” is different. It means no amount of sugar or its equivalent has been added to the product as a sweetener other than in an ingredient that naturally contains sugar.

The lawyers in this case are suing the company for violations of various state consumer protection laws prohibiting deceptive practices, and they are also seeking a court order to stop the company from calling beverages “sugar free” when that is not the case.

For its part, Starbucks told the Associated Press:

“We believe these claims have no merit. Starbucks has consistently and clearly provided information about its protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices and nutritional content across product announcements, menus, marketing materials, Starbucks.com and the Starbucks app, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.”

Incidentally, lawyers are investigating other products making “no added sugar” and “sugar free” claims.

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Miracle Blood Glucose Meter – No Finger Pricks?

For decades, diabetics have had to prick a finger to get a drop of blood on a test strip that is then inserted into a meter to quickly display a blood glucose reading.

Then a CGM — a continuous glucose meter — which attaches to your upper arm was invented. It transmits your reading to a cellphone app. It still has to slightly puncture the skin when first applied.

Now, miracle of miracles (if you believe their ad) comes the Pryxo non-invasive blood glucose monitor. You simply stick your finger in it, and five seconds later the digital display shows your reading.


If you saw this ad or one like it while watching other videos online and clicked it, you might well have seen this next:

*MOUSE PRINT:

scam warning

Our advice, save your money. You will probably receive a pulse oximeter to give you your oxygen saturation level and heart rate, not a device to measure your blood glucose. No consumer device has yet been invented and made widely available that doesn’t involve some penetration of the skin.

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They’re Peddling 8 Prescription Drugs in a Home Emergency Kit

MrConsumer was taken aback when he saw a nationally televised commercial by The Wellness Company selling an emergency kit containing eight prescription drugs that you keep at home just in case you need them at 2 a.m. when pharmacies and doctors’ offices are closed.

You get bottles of these eight prescription drugs to self-treat conditions such as parasites, strep, pneumonia, lyme disease, bacterial infections, GI and urinary tract infections, and more.

Wellness Company drug list

To get the kit, you have to fill out a health form, and have a brief consultation with a health professional at the company who can write the prescription.

Once you get the kit, how exactly do you diagnose yourself with these conditions? They give you a handy booklet about what to use each drug for, or you can speak to a health-care professional at their company during regular business hours for an extra fee, presumably.

And how much does this kit cost? $299.

*MOUSE PRINT:

In their FAQ section they reveal a key fact:

No insurance accepted

To the best of our knowledge, no state pharmacy boards or consumer authorities have taken legal action against the company because what they are doing may not be outside current medical, legal, and ethical guidelines. One state pharmacy board reportedly denied a drugstore’s request to carry a similar kit in their store.

Some things are very unsettling about this whole proposition:

  • Shouldn’t new conditions be diagnosed first by a doctor, rather than having patients read a booklet to self-diagnose and self-medicate, perhaps incorrectly, in the middle of the night?

  • Should doctors and pharmacies be allowed to prescribe and dispense packages of drugs on the speculation that someday they might come in handy, particularly knowing that some patients may self-medicate without proper diagnosis or medical follow-up?

  • Can’t purchasers of these kits wait until 8 a.m. the next day to call their doctor to get a real diagnosis or prescription?

  • How many of these drugs will expire before use and wind up being a big waste of money?

  • Why haven’t state or federal medical authorities stepped in to regulate sales of kits like these?

    Please offer your thoughts in the comments.