Starbucks Reply

[smsm]

I wrote an email to Starbucks - I wanted to express frustration at the lack of information given by the 800 number when you call about drink ingredients. I know some of you aren't into Starbucks (taste, price, yadda yadda), so forgive me, but I really do love Starbucks and I was bummed that I wasn't being given the information that I needed to decide if I (or my children) could go there. In the beginning of my diagnosis, I went all the time and never noticed a problem. But, occasionally, I would have a gluten reaction and not be able to trace it and I was going crazy with Starbucks not telling me what was gluten free (I get that they can't guarantee gluten free - I just need to know about the ingredients and then I can judge when I walk in based on watching who is touching what, etc. if I want to get something.). Anyway, here is the response (I am somewhat satisfied by it although I don't know what they mean about the certification - what is that? - I will go back I think and order my usual vanilla latte (I can do dairy)):

Thank you for contacting Starbucks.

I'm sorry for the frustration. I understand where it stems from. Unfortunately we have tried to pass certification to receive gluten free certification in the past - and are not set up to accommodate the changes. The entire process of creating beverages in our locations would need to be changed. While I understand the frustration of not having a complete list of all of our ingredients for every product, please realize that we do have beverages that most coffee shops cannot recreate - due to specific recipes and procedures that are proprietary. We always try to balance this with the amount of information we release to the public.

P.S. I can tell you that the only item in our location that currently contains gluten (as far as beverages are concerned) is our frappuccino base - all other items are gluten free ingredient wise.

If you have any further questions or concerns that I was unable to address, please feel free to let me know.

Warm Regards,

Elias M

Customer Relations

Starbucks Coffee Company

800 STARBUC (782-7282)

Monday through Friday, 5AM to 8PM (PST)

[nmull #newly diagnosed]

Thanks for posting this about Starbucks. I was Just diagnosed this year and I LOVE Starbucks. I am reading gluten free for dummies right now because im so overwhelmed. Just knowing I can at least Have the Lattes makes it better

[Loch]

My mom was having the same problems and finally figured out it was the Starbucks mixed drinks she gets. About 10 minutes after she got one she was already feeling ill so she looked around on the net and found Open Original Shared Link. Seems the big problem is how well they clean out the blenders between use. It's a bit over a year old but I doubt much has changed.

[kareng]

My mom was having the same problems and finally figured out it was the Starbucks mixed drinks she gets. About 10 minutes after she got one she was already feeling ill so she looked around on the net and found Open Original Shared Link. Seems the big problem is how well they clean out the blenders between use. It's a bit over a year old but I doubt much has changed.

I'm not sure what you are trying to say. The OP got an answer from Starbucks that says the Fraps are not gluten-free. They are not hiding that fact.

[Melissa Palomo]

Hmm - I thought the regular Frapp base was gluten free - and the light wasn't? Interesting - good to know. I would really like to see them stop with their BS answers of "it's proprietary" - stating whether an item contains a known allergen is hardly giving away a recipe. I'm a Starbucks addict and not ashamed to admit it - but I'll keep complaining to them about my dissatisfaction.

[mushroom]

I personally don't give a hoot about all their proprietary mixed stuff - just give me a good cup of coffee in a gluten free cup (china, not paper) is all I ask

[pixiestargirl]

The chips that come in the Java Chip Frappucino/ Double Chocolatey Chip frappucino also are not gluten free, they have cookie crumbs in them

[ChristenDG]

I am so glad to see this! I had found a lot of conflicting information so I had contacted Starbucks and was pretty disappointed with the response. I just recieved it today.

My e-mail:

--- Original Message ---

From: Christen

Received: 2/25/12 8:41:10 PM MST

To: <sbxinfo@buf.sitel.net>

Subject: allergens

Hello!

I adore Starbucks, but I have recently been diagnosed with Celiac Disease and I can no longer eat anything that includes gluten! I know the website states that Starbucks can't assure anything is allergen-free due to cross-contamination, but is there any way I can find out if there is gluten in any of the syrups or ingredients used to make the blended coffees and beverages? I have attempted to find the information online, but I have found a lot of conflicting information. Thanks so much for any help or assistance you can offer! I'm surely hoping I can still have a Starbucks every now and then... Have a great day!

Christen

=========================================================

Starbucks reply:

From: Starbucks Customer Care <info@starbucks.com>

Date: Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 11:25 AM

Subject: Re: allergens <<#602160-7844277#>>

To:

Dear Christen,

Thank you for contacting Starbucks.

While we understand that some customers may have a need to know specific ingredient information prior to consuming a product, unfortunately we are unable to provide more in-depth information than what is currently available in the ingredient portion of the website. If there are concerns about this product possibly containing an ingredient that you do not wish to consume, we would recommend that product not be consumed.

Thanks again for writing us. I hope you have a Starbucks day! If you ever have any questions or concerns in the future, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Ryan F

Customer Relations

Starbucks Coffee Company

800 STARBUC (782-7282)

Monday through Friday, 5 AM to 8 PM (PST)

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