Updated 4/6/2015 (see bottom of post)
I really love the smell of pumpkin (especially in the Fall), but, there is at least one seasonal pumpkin treat that I will never order and that’s the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. With more than 200 million sold to date, these drinks sell like hotcakes this time of year, and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said it “still ranks as its most popular seasonal beverage”. But, does anyone know what’s really in it?
I found out, and I’m going to break it all down for you here.
But first, I want to mention that I get riled up when restaurants refuse to disclose their ingredients, because we have the right to know what we are eating and drinking. I’ve tried for years to get ingredient information from Starbucks and it’s been a bit frustrating to say the least. If you’ve ever tried emailing their customer service for ingredients you probably know what I’m talking about.
This week, we emailed them asking for the complete list of ingredients in the Pumpkin Spice Latte and this was their response:
“The Pumpkin Spice Latte is of pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors combined with espresso and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice. If you ever have any questions or concerns in the future, please don’t hesitate to get in touch”.
After several more emails back and forth, they were still refusing to share the ingredients:
While we understand that some customers would like to know the nutrition information for their specific customized beverage, unfortunately we are unable to provide this level of detail for every beverage customization request. The beverage information that is available on Starbucks.com reflects the beverage offerings currently on our menu with the most common customization options.
For a company that prides itself in its transparency, it’s unbelievable to me that this is how they respond to customers who ask for information about what’s in their drinks. After really putting the pressure on, I was finally able to get the complete list, but it wasn’t easy. While they list some ingredients on their website, they still do not list the ingredients in their most popular items: their drinks! This includes all of their lattes, frappuccinos, macchiatos, smoothies, etc. Starbucks doesn’t even publish the ingredients in their “Kid’s Drinks” – keeping parents completely in the dark. If you have a food allergy, their allergen information isn’t available online either.
How’s that for transparency?
Besides trying to get an employee to spill the beans, pretty much the only way to get the ingredients in their drinks is to go into their online store and search for each of the individual components that make up these drinks, but they are not all listed here. Quite frankly, this is a pain. This also requires you to know all of the components that make up the drink that you order. For instance, the Pumpkin Spice Latte isn’t just espresso, syrup and milk. If you order it the usual way on the menu, it contains espresso, pumpkin sauce, steamed milk (or soy milk), whipped cream and spice topping – and these each come with their own ingredient list.
Another way to get ingredients is to email and call customer service, or to ask a corporate contact at Starbucks (if you’re lucky enough to know one like me). We used all of these avenues to get the ingredients in this drink, and you know what?
We got different ingredients.
Overall, the ingredients were similar, but there were slight differences. We initially called Starbucks customer service and they said that all of the syrups sold in their online store are the same ones that are used in the restaurant, and that specifically the Pumpkin Sauce is the same. The online version here says Pumpkin Sauce contains high fructose corn syrup. They also divulged the ingredients in the whipped cream, spice topping, and soy milk.
Shortly thereafter, we also received a response to our email inquiry and this is when things became shady.
This time the ingredient list they sent over didn’t have any high fructose corn syrup on it. Rather, it was replaced with “sweetened condensed nonfat milk”. After a couple email exchanges, they seemed to confirm that HFCS is an ingredient:
“Yes the sauce that we sell online at www.starbucks.com is that same sauce that we use in our stores. I understand you concerns about high fructose corn syrup being used in the Sweentened Condensed Nonfat Milk. Please be aware that product information is provided to us by the suppliers who manufacture food and beverage items for Starbucks Coffee Company. Variations may exist due to periodic changes in formulations. While we attempt to provide product information that is as complete as possible, product changes or new product introductions may cause this information to become outdated or incomplete. Products may vary from location to location”.
I wasn’t done yet. I also contacted a PR rep at Starbucks whom I had been in contact with previously and asked her to send me the ingredients. According to her, “The condensed milk is sweetened with sugar (no HFCS)”.
As you can see, this makes for a very confusing customer experience, and I still don’t really know if it contains high fructose corn syrup (or not).
Why won’t they just publish ingredients online and end the confusion?
They obviously know what the ingredients are in each of their drinks, so I see no reason for them to hold back from publishing them (in their entirety) online just like they do for their food items. This would make it easy for their customers to know exactly what they are drinking. I believe the reason that they’re dragging their feet is because they don’t want you to know about the harmful additives in their biggest selling items.
Case In Point: You’ll get 2 doses of Class IV Caramel Coloring in Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte.
You’ve probably heard me talk about caramel coloring before, and that’s because I think it’s one of the most hazardous chemicals being added to our food. Although it sounds harmless, food safety and consumer watch dog groups say it is not.
There are four different types (classes) of caramel coloring and two of those types contain the dangerous substance 4-methylimidazole (4-Mel). Starbucks uses Class IV Caramel Color, considered the most harmful type that contains 4-Mel, in many of their drink syrups and sauces. It’s even in their whipped cream!
Why Starbucks should stop using Class IV Caramel Coloring immediately:
- It’s created in a laboratory by reacting corn sugar with ammonia and sulfites under high pressure and temperature, which produces the byproduct 4-Mel.
- A U.S government funded study found that feeding mice caramel coloring IV (which contained 4-Mel) increased their risk of developing lung cancer and leukemia, at every dosage level.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies 4-Mel as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.
- Any food or drink that contains more than 29 micrograms of 4-Mel requires a cancer warning label In California (under Prop 65) that says, “WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.”
- The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the FDA to ban caramel coloring in 2011 due to safety concerns and the cancer risk of allowing this ingredient in our food.
- It has no nutritional benefits and is only used cosmetically to improve the appearance of food and drinks, yet there are safer alternatives available to food manufacturers.
- It’s sometimes added unnecessarily to food and drinks that are naturally brown or that are not even visible to the consumer (e.g. baby vitamin drops).
- It’s the most widely used food coloring in the world, which makes it easy to consume excessive amounts.
- Thankfully, the FDA is currently reviewing its safety and GRAS status, due to a Consumer Reports study that found excessive levels in many popular drinks.
In previous correspondence with Starbucks, they told me they have no plans to remove the ingredient and, “in all instances where the color is used in our beverages, the level is well below the No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) allowed by California’s Prop 65, regarded as a conservative evaluation system, and safe to consume”. I haven’t seen any testing results that show the exact levels of 4-Mel found in Starbucks drinks, so we just have to take their word for it on this one. Also, even if the level is below what’s allowed, what if someone has a Vente (Starbuck’s largest size) with the double dose of caramel coloring within the syrup and whipcream – what’s the amount of caramel coloring then? Even if the levels are below what’s permitted in California, it’s still not safe. In the opinion of toxicologist Dr. Urvashi Rangan, “There is no ‘safe’ level of 4-MeI, but if you have set a threshold, it should be well below the Prop 65 level (29 micrograms/day) – and more like 3 micrograms/day”. Roasted coffee itself has been shown to contain trace amounts of 4-Mel. Couple that with the fact that this coloring is in just about every processed food you can imagine, so you may be cumulatively eating more of this stuff than you realize – and no amount is safe.
Would you really care if the syrup and sauces that they squirt into your coffee are colored brown? It’s going into brown coffee anyhow…. it’s totally ridiculous to me that caramel coloring is even considered a necessary ingredient and that Starbucks doesn’t ask their suppliers to completely remove it.
Where’s the pumpkin?
After reading the ingredients in the Pumpkin Spice Latte, I can tell you that there’s absolutely no pumpkin. Instead, you’ll be drinking this:
- A Huge Dose of Sugar – A lot of it. Order up a non-fat grande and you’ll get served 50 grams of sugar. Is it a pick-me-up from the caffeine, or all that toxic sugar?
- Monsanto Milk – Even though over a hundred thousand customers are demanding it, Starbucks refuses to serve organic milk (at all locations). Due to consumer pressure, they stopped using milk from cows injected with growth hormones several years ago, but their milk still comes from cows that are fed genetically modified feed all day long – which is really supporting Monsanto and the biotech companies. When cows survive primarily on a cheap grain diet (corn, soy, alfalfa, cotton) it’s bad for the health of the animals, which is contributing to the overuse of antibiotics and the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If they made the switch to organic milk, or even offered it for that matter, it would ensure that it didn’t come from cows grazing on GMO grains or injected with antibiotics.
- Pesticide Residue – Starbucks doesn’t serve organic coffee in most locations. Non-organic coffee is considered one of the heaviest chemically treated crops in the world, especially when it’s imported from developing nations that allow pesticides that are restricted in the U.S. due to health concerns, such as Chlorpyrifos.
- Natural and Artificial Flavors – Since this drink contains absolutely no pumpkin, this is where all that flavor comes from. The problem with both artificial and natural flavors is that their sources are proprietary and you never really know what they are made from.
- Preservatives and Sulfites – Which may cause allergic reactions or asthma attacks, and is linked with DNA damage.
If you’re vegan, I have a specific warning for you.
Many of you may be shocked to find out that when you order a Pumpkin Spice latte with soy milk, it’s still not vegan. This is because the Pumpkin Sauce contains condensed nonfat milk, and many Starbucks employees don’t realize this and have misinformed customers. This is yet another reason that Starbucks Corporate should be transparent about what’s in their drinks by publishing complete ingredients online.
You’ll also get more than you bargained for if you order up a soy latte, because the Starbucks “proprietary” organic soy milk contains carrageenan – which is linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and cancer. It also contains another dose of added sugar, preservatives and natural flavors.
Complete Ingredients in Starbucks “Pumpkin” Spice Latte:
Milk, Espresso (Water, Brewed Espresso Coffee), Pumpkin Spice Flavored Sauce (Sugar, Condensed Nonfat Milk, High Fructose Corn Syrup or Sweetened Condensed Nonfat Milk (Milk, Sugar), Annatto (for color), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color (class IV), Salt, Potassium Sorbate (preservative)), Whip Cream (Whipping Cream, Starbucks Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Caramel Color (class IV)), Pumpkin Spice Topping: Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, Sulfites.
SOY OPTION:
Starbucks Organic Soy Milk (plain): Filtered Water, Organic Whole Soybeans, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Calcium Carbonate, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, Carrageenan, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B12, Zinc Gluconate.
Starbucks Organic Soy Milk (vanilla): Filtered Water, Organic Whole Soybeans, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Vanilla Flavors, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, Carrageenan, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B12.
Ditch the Starbucks and Drink This Instead!
Mama Natural has a version of a homemade pumpkin spice latte that actually uses real pumpkin! And 100 Days of Real Food has a few quick and easy alternative recipes – see help graphic below.
You can also try a latte with my homemade pistachio milk, which is one of my favorite treats! Also, seek out locally-owned organic fair trade coffee shops in your area. My favorite is Larry’s Beans Organic Fair Trade coffee.
Starbucks: Stop Putting Toxic Chemicals In Your Pumpkin Spice Latte.
- Tell Starbucks to remove unnecessary carcinogenic caramel coloring by commenting on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
- Call their customer service department at 1-800-782-7282 and ask them to remove these harmful additives and post all of their ingredients online.
- Join GMO Inside and sign the petition asking them to serve organic milk at all locations.
- Share this blog post with everyone you know. The more people that know the truth, the more Starbucks will be forced to make a change.
Thank you for your activism and spreading the word in advance. Together we can change the food system. Hopefully in the near future, we can have treats like these without worrying about the toxic chemicals in them!
Xo,
Vani
Update 4/6/2015: I received an email from Starbucks representatives that they have started to remove caramel coloring level IV. “we recently transitioned the vanilla syrup in our US and Canada stores to a new formula which is free from caramel coloring. We prioritized vanilla as it is an ingredient in our whipped cream, so with this one change we removed caramel coloring from many beverages. We are actively working on the rest and don’t have a specific timeline to share at this time.” Go Food Babe Army Go!
What a stupid article. I went to the Starbucks website, pulled up “Pumpkin Spice Syrup”, and clicked on ingredients. It took me all of 10 seconds.
“SUGAR, CONDENSED NONFAT MILK, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, ANNATO (FOR COLOR), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CARAMEL COLOR, SALT, POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE).”
And as long as I can get it in a Venti size, I’m happy. 🙂
There is no need to name-call this article “stupid.” It’s not a stupid article – it’s chock full of valuable information! It’s not all about locating ingredient lists.
The investigation is about why Starbucks corporate employees are doling out misinformation when asked specific questions about their products, in addition to the actual ingredients that are hiding in such things as “natural and artificial flavors.” This is important information for the general public, because at the very least it highlights Starbucks trustworthiness as a company producing food you consume.
If you have ever visited this website before, or read the actual article you are commenting on, you will find that almost all of the ingredients you found so easily are huge health concerns and toxic. Either they are made from GMO products (milk/HFCS/sugar) or they are unnecessarily added carcinogens (caramel color) to make your already brown coffee browner – just for “good” measure.
If you choose to read articles like this and then continue to bask in your ignorance, don’t call incredibly smart and proactive people like Vani or her work “stupid.” Clearly, you live in a tiny world where personal instant gratification trumps truth, knowledge, and long term health.
Good luck with that.
Well said 🙂
Being this mad.
Too All It’s all of what you(individuals) want and when. Do what you gotta do and learn to live with it. For me personally, I’ll past on all.
while i am concerned about GMOS. here is what the FDA has to say about caramel IV http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm364184.htm
You are going to trust the FDA?? The head of whom used to head Monsanto.
Thank you Gerard! Head of the FDA = Dingo.
I say let natural selection take its course. 😉
Do you really think that Starbucks would list all this???? I don’t think so, they only list what you want to hear.
WOW
Jus wish this crusade could be to end the sale and production of cigarettes
Listen lady if you are SO upset about what’s in it, then STOP drinking it. There are FAR worst drinks and foods being sold elsewhere. Leave Starbucks alone.
Hey Lauren!
The same reply that went to “Linda” goes to you.
Vani, and most people reading this website, DON’T drink anything from GMOStarbucks. If you don’t like reading about it, and would prefer to live in a tiny ignorant world, go for it!
Let the rest of us gain truth and knowledge in peace, without people like you throwing out unfounded and rude comments about things you clearly have no idea about.
Enjoy your Monsanto Milk! 🙂
Heather, I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately there are people that don’t or won’t understand how much junk there is in Starbucks Drinks.
Completely agree.
Thank you! Make your own drink is exactly what I was thinking.
(Dick Nixon) your awesome.
Kudos to you for digging so deep! There are so many small and fabulous locally owned coffee shops in every city who serve fair trade and organic coffee and beverages. Let’s support them instead of a cooperation like this that supports wars and is just plain bad for us!
Hey Vani!!
YOU ROCK, as Always!! I come to your Website for Knowledge ALL the time and I am SO Grateful for everything you do and all the Time it takes you to do it. The World is a much better place because of your Diligence, Hard Work and Compassion for People and the Planet.
I figured you saw this, but maybe not:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/26/pumpkin-spice-latte-returns_n_5710697.html
Big Bummer that the HuffPost feels a need to promote this Disgusting Drink.
*sigh*
Sending Peace and Light…..
🙂 Kristin
Vani, you will not believe the attention I’ve been getting to my Twitter post from yesterday saying that you are up to your “truth-telling” again. I have received SO MANY nasty and antagonistic comments on my Twitter feed. Funny thing is that I have posted about your articles many times before and never heard a peep. You/We have really touched a nerve on this one. I do not enjoy trying to engage people on Twitter (how intelligent of a conversation can one have in 140 characters?). It just gave me a small glimpse of what you must get A LOT and I just wanted to say thank you for doing the hard work to get to the truth of what is in our food. There are so many who really appreciate you getting to the bottom of so many things (tea, stevia, coconut water). It’s about informing oneself. Someone can read your post about the PSL and decide, “Screw it, I love it too much to give it up!” Fine, her choice. However, many of us might choose differently. Or choose to have it less. Or ask Starbucks to make changes. And I guess that is what is so scary for corporations. Keep up the good work!
P.S. I posted this on your FB page too.
It is unfortunate to see such negativity on these comments. If it was difficult to read these ignorant comments, I cant imagine how disheartening it must be for you. Keep up the good work! Thanks for putting this info out there. Ignore the haters, like Sweet Brown said, “ain’t nobody got time for that.” lol
can u email me whats in iced grande chai
i normally use non fat milk with 10 pumps of chai the cart of chai box says half chai half milk but at starbucks they use i think 5 pumps and more than half nonfat milk thats ripped off thats why i ask for ten so its equal anyway pls provide me whats in chai ???
The CONCENTRATE that Starbucks uses behind the counter is stronger than a box of Chai you would be making at home. Starbucks is not ripping you off, if you think they are then don’t go there! All the information about nutrition is avaliable AT EVERY STARBUCKS LOCATION!
While I tried to read ALL of the previous comments, 586 is just way too many, so someone may have posted this info before me: here’s what the FDA says about “Questions & Answers on Caramel Coloring and 4-MEI”:
http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm364184.htm
The FDA also says that consuming Roundup herbicide in all your food is safe (without testing))
Athena, please produce the article stating / backing up your comment. If you cannot… quit wasting our time .
Sounds like this person ordered one and it was cold LOL. Who really cares !!! If everyone new what they were eating we all would starve !!! Get a life !
It’ all about making an informed decision. Then, live with the consequences!
Who would of thought such a innocent name drink could be so bad for you. Thanks for the info.
I’d like to point out, that if you are really going to disect anything, to point out the reasons you are doing so; Such as: You wish to eat like a mouse.
Anyway, does it freaking matter whats in it? How many individuals do you know who suffer from food allergies that go to starbucks and have had severe reactions? More than likely; None. They do state in bold print[Or are supposed to] in their stores; MAY CONTAIN ALLERGENS such as, but not limited to; Peanuts, etc etc etc…
Plus, I think SB is overpriced, and tastes like bile from planet regurgitron. :/
To the idiots laughing at Vani about the snopes page: did you actually read snopes? Of course not because they did not deny that it contains cancer causing caramel color besides that they lie and say that it’s safe to drink.Go ahead and drink that poison if you believe it lol
http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm364184.htm
The head of the FDA used to head Monsanto – the main producer of GMOs.
That is effectively like having a dingo watch your baby.
AND, one of the first lines of the article you produced states:
“Is there a risk from eating foods that contain 4-MEI? Based on the available information, FDA has no reason to believe that there is any immediate or short-term danger presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food from the use of caramel coloring.”
Let me just read between the lines for you:
“Is there a risk from eating foods that contain 4-MEI?”
The FDA admits to basing their “belief” off of “available” research determining that there is no “immediate or short-term” danger presented at the levels “expected” in food.
Essentially, they are saying right off the bat that the information is not there, they haven not conducted further studies, they do not know the long term danger, and they are basically just crossing their fingers in hopes that the corrupt food manufacturers are keeping the levels of this chemical lower than the unfounded limits set 35 years ago.
So, to summarize… It contains standard ingredients that you’d find in most milk, coffee syrup, and coffee. Your main gripe appears to be that it’s not organic/vegan, which by the way are not two words that are interchangeable with “healthy.” Honestly, if it wasn’t one thing it’d be something else someone would find to gripe about.
Good on you for wanting that, but feel free to make your own. It’s easy enough to do. Meanwhile, I prefer my Starbucks coffee e.coli-free, thanks.
I think anyone who starts a comment something along the lines of “who cares what’s in it” is a bit ignorant and blind to the importance of what we put into our bodies. I am a huge advocate of doing things in balance, obviously in a perfect world Id have a field of free range chickens and lush gardens but it’s most difficult in this world now and still difficult to buy everything natural and organic. However, we must do our best because it DOES matter what we put into our bodies as it can be the difference between life or dying young or having diabetes or struggling to complete daily activities when your old to just feeling goods out yourself. Don’t be blind to a corporate world, so your research. Or at least be grateful to know health information when presented to you, because I love PSLs but am now more aware of what it contains. So thank you for the info. Never mind those who “don’t care what’s in it”
Thanks for what you do Foodbabe!! in today’s world its hard to cook everything at home and all of us need some help to buy food outside at times. Your investigations not only makes consumers aware of what they are ingesting ( though many don’t like that)!! but also force the companies to review what they provide and make changes. making it possible for us to even consider eating some of this outside. Starbucks could learn a lesson or 2 from Chipotle which is moving in the right direction.
I live in a small town with a small Star Bucks in Safeway. Each year they make the pumpkin spice latte and I can see what they put in it. They use what they can get at Safeway including real pumpkin pie filling, lucerin brand milk, cool whipped whipping cream, and yes they do use Star Bucks brand spices and coffee but other than that since it is a small town Starbucks they don’t use a lot of harmful ingredients.
Cool whip doesn’t have harmful ingredients? Have you read the ingredients? It’s basically hydrogenated oils and corn syrup.
I have read more than half of the comments made on this post I find it amazing that some of you out there say “who cares what were eating if we all knew we would just starve to death” anyway! That’s like telling your child , someone that you deeply love or care about …..go ahead have some poison it’s okay” really there are people who do care and it’s okay to have your opinion because we all have one, and not that it really matters cuz we all believe what we want to believe :/ I just want to say if you read , do your own research & get knowledge of what you’re eating and drinking it is your responsibility what you do to yourself and the people you love it just goes to show you (From reading some of those post) you can’t help the Stupid but you can definitely help the ignorant just saying”
I don’t think its really that people don’t care, I think most people are smart enough to know that a starbucks latte isn’t the healthiest thing in the world, and the small portion thats actually dangerous is next to nothing. The caramel colouring that she’s so worried about? You can consume more in a day than water and have it still not make you sick.
You’re right, Kathy, you can consume more caramel coloring in a day than water and it wont make you sick…that DAY.
This is all about long term health. If you don’t drink more than one Starbucks a year, good for you.
But, most of the Starbucks patrons are basically mainlining this poison daily – like their life depends on it. What happens 30 years from now, when for the last 30 years, they were consuming more caramel coloring than water every day?
THAT day will come eventually, if you aren’t preventing it today.
Great article – people need to know how unhealthy all these sugary Starbucks drinks are. The Pumpkin Spice trend drives me crazy because it makes people think that Pumpkin is their favorite flavor.
It’s not a Pumpkin & Spice Latte… it’s a “Pumpkin Spice” Latte. As in, it’s flavored with the same spices you put in a Pumpkin Pie. So no, there’s no real pumpkin in the latte, but actually there’s not supposed to be.
Hi — A pumpkin spice latte, should indeed have pumpkin. I won’t repeat my post from page 5, however, while at Whole Foods today, I just happened to check the ingredients list of Dancing Deer’s, “Pumpkin Spice Waffle Mix”.
It has of course pumpkin in it — in two forms. As well it should. They must include ‘pumpkin’ by law, if they are to include it in the name.
“Pumpkin Spice” is essentially saying “Pumpkin Pie”. That’s why there is artificial pumpkin flavoring added to the latte. The whole point of the article, is to point out this artifice.
Lory, I don’t know where you get that from, “Pumpkin Spice” is what the spice blend used in pumpkin pie is call by many people. Its not about the pumpkin flavor its about the spices. Saying “pumpkin spice” and “pumpkin pie” are the same thing is completely wrong. But if you want a SB drink that tastes like liquid pumpin pie all year round get a soy chia latte no water. Mmmmmm
Kathy, thank you for your comments, however, I believe that you may be misinterpreting the pumpkin spice reference.
The latte does in fact have pumpkin flavoring, but it is artificial. That’s the point of the article. That the beverage contains many artificial compounds, and thereby misleading. This makes the focus on just the “spice”, a mute point, and somewhat faulty logic.
The same set of spices are used in any number of East Indian dishes, or Swedish desserts for example. So if the focus was going to be on just ‘spice’, then they would name it “Spice Latte”.
They shouldn’t pretend that it has actual pumpkin puree, by calling it ‘Pumpkin Spice Latte’. If it were an ‘Apple Spice Latte’, would you expect it to have some semblance of apple?
If it were called ‘Molasses Cookie Latte’, would you expect it to have some semblance of actual molasses?
If it were called ‘Mulled Cider Latte’, would you expect it to have some actual mulled cider in it?
Of course you would. Everyone would, and that’s the premise of sensationalized marketing to promote a deceptively titled beverage. The above latte recipe examples that I gave, call for a variation of the very same spices, yet Starbucks would never think to call a drink simply ‘Spice Latte’, because it doesn’t have the same marketing appeal.
So they mislead you and me with their false advertising.
I’m not sure I understand your comments or point. However, I can often tell the age, inexperience, and education level of an individual by how they express themselves.
I’ve been in the food business for a very long time, and understand the laws as it pertains to food labeling in the U.S., along with its loopholes.
The above was supposed to be a reply to your comment Kathy, on page 5.
I’m glad people are finally learning what they are eating and getting into. Everything has to be transformed and made into something “better” when its becoming more and more toxic. I wish people would learn that corporations aren’t there for health , especially yours, they are there to make a profit and if cutting corners makes it easier they will take it. I don’t personally drink Starbucks and never have, this just makes me want to avoid them even more. Starbucks isn’t the only place, and I’m not bashing but many other companies are causing harm to us.
Hrhr, I was about to say what a waste of time, if you go to starbucks, you do not expect any healthy nutrition at all 😉 Anyway, since some ppl see value in this article, there is value 😉
I’m a barista at a Starbucks… All of the information is available to you if you go to a Starbucks… We can read it off a label for you, don’t know why you found it so difficult…
Also, it doesn’t have 50 grams of sugar in a grande. You’re crazy. Check out the syrups at McDonalds or Tim’s and reevaluate the idiocy you’ve displayed.
I don’t expect any syrup with preservative to have small amounts of sugar. Pepsi and coke also have caramel syrup in them (they aren’t even brown/black before it’s added).
If you’re concerned about sugar, don’t have our whip cream and make sure you use our sugar free option drinks.
“I don’t expect any syrup with preservative to have small amounts of sugar.”
Please explain further. I don’t understand the connection.
“Pepsi and coke also have caramel syrup in them (they aren’t even brown/black before it’s added).”
No one said coke or Pepsi are healthy.
“If you’re concerned about sugar, don’t have our whip cream and make sure you use our sugar free option drinks.”
Sugar free includes artificial sweeteners. If you are on a health blog, you should know no one would recommend this.
Who cares? If it tastes good, I am going to drink it.
Is this a real post?
I feel like there could be no other reason a person would intentionally seek out a healthy eating blog, read an entire investigation in not only English, but also in layman’s terms, process logical information, and then say something as ignorant as “who cares? If it tastes good, I am going to drink it” unless they were a poorly disguised internet troll trying to blow up “Becky Hamrick’s” social media page.
Otherwise, why are you even taking the time to post a comment like that on an article you don’t want to know about anyway?
Go back to trolling Yahoo Answers and chug some Blue 1, caramel coloring and BVO. Cheers! 🙂
I don’t shop at Starbucks for a wide variety of reasons, this is another good reason to not go in this corporate giant. the average latter that charge 3-$4.00 for costs 25 cents to make How many times has Starbucks been in the news for the Managers stealing tips from the Baristas, not paying OT, working people off the clock etc. They are like a smaller version of Wal Mart. I live in Oregon, there was a little mom and pop coffee shop on the Oregon coast called Sandbucks, it was there family name. Starbucks sent their corporate attorney goons down there and told the family if they did not change the name of their coffee shop the would sue them because it was too close to the family name, the couple buckled under the fear of getting sued and losing everything, I could never go into a Starbucks with a clear conscience and purchase anything, and for the love of God it’s just coffee.
Ok…That should be latter not latter, and it should also say THAT THEY CHARGE not THAT CHARGE sheesh typos grrrr
Soooo, I’m a barista who works for starbucks. Frankly speaking if you are worried about GMO’s and high fructose corn syrup and all the other food baddies, why are you at starbucks? Most of their syrups used for lattes and frappuccinos are made with high fructose corn syrup and various other preservatives and terrible things. Don’t get me started on things that have dairy either! That soy caramel frappuccino you ordered with no whip? Unless you took that caramel drizzle off, you are infact getting dairy. The white mocha has dairy, the protein powder has dairy, just about any of the syrups or drizzles that are opaque and thick probably have dairy in it. If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you should probably stick to drinking their tea’s and call it a day. On that note, that’s pretty much the only healthy option you have are the tea’s with no syrup in them, but even those you have to be careful with, and do your research.
Oh side note, most of starbuck’s coffee is organic actually. They just haven’t all reached certified organic labeling standards yet, but at least one of their coffee’s have. Yukon coffee is certified, and you can always get that coffee made for you at starbucks, just ask for a pour over and if you want that latte experience just ask for a yukon coffee misto. Most of the employees are actually well informed if you bother asking us, starbucks is a treat not something you should consume daily anyhow.
Just gonna leave this here since everyone seems to be freaking out but not suggesting something better.
http://www.allegrocoffee.com/
Allegro supplies all Whole Foods coffee bars and sticks with organic syrups (pumpkin Spice)
http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/pumpkinspicelatte.asp
This is Vani’s response to the Snopes article:
There’s a bogus “Snopes” article that is circulating trying to disprove my research into the ingredients in the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Here are the facts they conveniently ignored:
Snopes Claim: “an available list of ingredients for the Pumpkin Spice Latte syrup can be found here”.
The Truth: This link goes to Starbucks online store, which I mentioned in my post. The list of ingredients here is just for the sauce, and doesn’t include the whipped cream, milk (or soy milk), and spiced topping. This ingredient list shows “high fructose corn syrup” (HFCS) is an ingredient in this store-bought version.
Snopes Claim: “Starbucks has indicated that HFCS may be present in some drinks due to manufacturing variations. According to a Starbucks spokeswoman, Pumpkin Spice Latte drinks purchased at Starbucks outlets are sweetened with sugar, not HFCS. The flavoring syrup available for purchase in homemade beverages may contain HFCS, but that formula differs from the one used in Starbucks retail outlets”.
The Truth: In two different instances, Starbucks told me that the sauce sold in their online store is the same formula used in the restaurants. Yet, the ingredient list that I received via email included “sweetened condensed nonfat milk” as an ingredient instead of HFCS. When I inquired as to whether it was sweetened with sugar or HFCS, I received two different answers from Starbucks. Starbucks later confirmed that they use just “sugar” for drinks made by baristas and high fructose corn syrup for the store-bought pre-made mix.
Snopes Claim: “Another aspect of the rumor that Pumpkin Spice Lattes are toxic stems from the inclusion of Caramel Color (class IV), another common food additive. FDA data states that Caramel Color (class IV) is generally considered safe.”
The Truth: Food safety and consumer watchdog groups (Consumers Union, CSPI) state that caramel coloring is not safe and that stronger regulations are needed because it contains 4-Mel, which is classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and National Toxicology Program. The FDA’s Deputy Commissioner recently admitted, “We simply do not have the information to vouch for the safety of many of these chemicals… we do have questions about whether we can do what people expect of us”. The FDA cannot regulate the cumulative consumption of caramel coloring because its added to an insurmountable number of foods without any post-market oversight. The FDA is actually reviewing its safety at this time.
Also – Starbucks should remove this caramel coloring level IV (made from heating ammonia with corn sugar) from all of their flavored coffee and espresso drinks, including their Frappuccinos, not just the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Why are they adding a possible cancerous ingredient to color coffee more brown anyways? In many instances you can’t even see the drink in the classic sold white cup they use. The caramel coloring is used for cosmetic reasons only.
After publishing my investigation into the Pumpkin Spice Latte on Monday, Starbucks told various reporters they are now planning to “phase out” caramel coloring. If they are really making this commitment, they need to provide a timeline to their customers and the public. Millions of people continue to drink Starbucks flavored coffee drinks laced with this substance and could be harming themselves.
Ummm pumpkin spice doesn’t have pumpkin in it. It is something you add to the pumpkin so I am not really sure who in their right mind would think a pumpkin spice latte would actually contain pumpkin.
That is not, was not and has not ever been the claim or the point of this investigation. Go back and read all the facts provided so nicely and neatly for you to acknowledge, and realize that no one tried to say pumpkin should be in the drink.
One tagline of “contains no real pumpkin” was only trying to draw attention to the fact that the whole drink is a mess of chemicals and GMO crap (the effects of which are unknown, which is WHY there are no conclusive studies. YOU are the study, currently!), and not REAL anything.
It never ceases to amaze me how small minded people can and always will focus on the most insignificant detail and argue it into the ground about…oh I don’t know, how many comments are on here now? If you are trying to win a battle of knowledge and truth with ignorance and a failure to see the big picture, just quit typing now and stop wasting our time with your words.
Heather, thank you for this reply. I’m so angry after reading this article I could see myself really going off on someone for trying to argue about something so unrelated, and try to take away from the facts and the real purpose of this article.
THIS “ARTICLE” IS NOT TRUE! Check out smiles..http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/pumpkinspicelatte.asp
This is Vani’s response to the Snopes article:
There’s a bogus “Snopes” article that is circulating trying to disprove my research into the ingredients in the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Here are the facts they conveniently ignored:
Snopes Claim: “an available list of ingredients for the Pumpkin Spice Latte syrup can be found here”.
The Truth: This link goes to Starbucks online store, which I mentioned in my post. The list of ingredients here is just for the sauce, and doesn’t include the whipped cream, milk (or soy milk), and spiced topping. This ingredient list shows “high fructose corn syrup” (HFCS) is an ingredient in this store-bought version.
Snopes Claim: “Starbucks has indicated that HFCS may be present in some drinks due to manufacturing variations. According to a Starbucks spokeswoman, Pumpkin Spice Latte drinks purchased at Starbucks outlets are sweetened with sugar, not HFCS. The flavoring syrup available for purchase in homemade beverages may contain HFCS, but that formula differs from the one used in Starbucks retail outlets”.
The Truth: In two different instances, Starbucks told me that the sauce sold in their online store is the same formula used in the restaurants. Yet, the ingredient list that I received via email included “sweetened condensed nonfat milk” as an ingredient instead of HFCS. When I inquired as to whether it was sweetened with sugar or HFCS, I received two different answers from Starbucks. Starbucks later confirmed that they use just “sugar” for drinks made by baristas and high fructose corn syrup for the store-bought pre-made mix.
Snopes Claim: “Another aspect of the rumor that Pumpkin Spice Lattes are toxic stems from the inclusion of Caramel Color (class IV), another common food additive. FDA data states that Caramel Color (class IV) is generally considered safe.”
The Truth: Food safety and consumer watchdog groups (Consumers Union, CSPI) state that caramel coloring is not safe and that stronger regulations are needed because it contains 4-Mel, which is classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and National Toxicology Program. The FDA’s Deputy Commissioner recently admitted, “We simply do not have the information to vouch for the safety of many of these chemicals… we do have questions about whether we can do what people expect of us”. The FDA cannot regulate the cumulative consumption of caramel coloring because its added to an insurmountable number of foods without any post-market oversight. The FDA is actually reviewing its safety at this time.
Also – Starbucks should remove this caramel coloring level IV (made from heating ammonia with corn sugar) from all of their flavored coffee and espresso drinks, including their Frappuccinos, not just the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Why are they adding a possible cancerous ingredient to color coffee more brown anyways? In many instances you can’t even see the drink in the classic sold white cup they use. The caramel coloring is used for cosmetic reasons only.
After publishing my investigation into the Pumpkin Spice Latte on Monday, Starbucks told various reporters they are now planning to “phase out” caramel coloring. If they are really making this commitment, they need to provide a timeline to their customers and the public. Millions of people continue to drink Starbucks flavored coffee drinks laced with this substance and could be harming themselves.
Interesting read. Might be a little sensationalist at some parts but the message is true and important.
So many of us (myself included) LOVE pumpkin spice lattes and I think that is what is causing so many people to post such negative commentary. People are literally getting defensive over PSLs.
In reality they are just upset that this delicious drink is actually unhealthy and terrible for you. I think I’ll make the homemade one this weekend! Let’s be real I might slip up and get the Starbs one too though.
I heard you on WGN radio today. Thank you for all of the insights you shared, especially about the pumpkin spice coffee at Starbucks. Wow! What an eye opener!
If you’re so concerned with where all the products and ingredients come from that’s in your beverage, you probably shouldn’t go to an establishment as large and as money hungry as Starbucks. Also, business is business… and it is 100% not cost efficient for Starbucks to buy all non-GMO, High Fructose Corn Syrup free products. They are a smart enough company to have run the numbers on that one. Most people who order drinks that are Venti- Size, Double Syrup, Extra Whip cream are most definitely not concerned with the health risk they are taking. If you don’t want to put those types of chemical in your body no one is stopping you, but you shouldn’t force your dietary habits on anyone else. Also most of the milk that Starbucks and Licensed Starbucks sellers use is from the nearest Dairy supplier and it is very much milk that is processed and pasteurized etc. I like to support local businesses and get lattes from a local coffee shop.
“If you don’t want to put those types of chemical in your body no one is stopping you, but you shouldn’t force your dietary habits on anyone else.”
I think I missed the part where Vani was forcing her habits on someone else by sharing true information.
Oh, wait; she was just trying to be helpful.
Did anyone FORCE you to read it?
I didn’t think so 🙂
Hi-five Leslie!! 🙂
Wouldn’t it be nice out of the 170,000 options as stated by Starbucks to have at least one organic drink option. Isn’t it about catering to the consumers, people do want healthier options. Millions would buy an organic fair trade coffee with organic milk!!!!!!
All of Starbucks coffee is fair trade. The stamp is on all their brewed coffee. I worked there for 3 years and the company made sure we all knew that for customers who were in question. Also they serve organic milk. You can order a latte that’s organic without any syrup.
Again key word “organic” fair trade, there is a difference. And totally NOT TRUE about serving organic milk in lattes. I asked for organic milk and was told, we Do Not have it or sell it. Totally false comment you stated.
How do you become a “Certified Barista?”
Believe all the lies with which Corporate Starbucks brainwashes – I mean “trains” – their employees, such as your false statements above?
Come on, you have to know that simply working for a company and becoming a proponent of their deceit does NOT make any of their statements accurate or any of their practices good for the general population.
Also, way to completely ignore one of the main issues here: Class IV Caramel Coloring in the brown coffee!
I guess your “barista certification” must be the only accurate part about your post, since you acted exactly like Corporate Starbucks and not only failed to address one of the main issues, but also lied about the other issues.
I work at starbucks… there is nothing about 16 oz of milk sugar and maybe 2 oz of coffee that is healthy… any one who thinks otherwise is really fooling themselves. I cannot believe how many people think starbucks is good for you… no. it is NOT if you’re looking for some hippy dippy organic drink then drink some friggin water. I can’t stand the amount of people we get in starbucks completely jaded by the nutrition in the beverages they are about to consume. on the other hand, don’t fool yourself, use this article as a tool to keep the PSL in moderation. but don’t deprive yourself of it because we use cows that eat oats or some crap like that. it’s cruel what we do to ourselves. give yourself a pumpkin spice latte. but don’t get a pumpkin spice latte nonfat no whip blablabla.. just drink the drink and move on with your life.
Lol had a good laugh at the article and comments.
Ps: pumpkin spice is amazing.
to all naysayers…that is fine.. be negative all you want and stay sheeple..question nothing and continue to do nothing to better your health. It is, after all, choice..make your choices for all of your reasons. None right none wrong. In the end, you will only have your choices and attitudes to consider when your health either thrives or fails. End of story.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz owns significant stock in the companies producing these so-called ingredients. Is it any surprise that some of these said companies also produce dangerous solvents and chemicals for industrial use!! Look it up people! Also Starbucks lists that there are only 8 different ingredients in the syrup, and Starbucks first pumpkin flavored beverage debuted on Feb(2nd month) 5 1983. 8 * 83.25= 666. Any surprise here???? Illuminati confirmed. ( ͡º ͜ʖ ͡º)
So not surprised. I don’t even drink coffee, but they make some of their other beverages seem tasty. I’ve had the Refreshers, which list stevia. Now they have new iced teas and sodas. I’m thinking if they put stevia in the Refreshers, why not the other beverages.
I asked the guy to put stevia in the shaken iced tea thing, and he’s telling me how he doesn’t have stevia there. Which means they’re not using stevia in the store made Refreshers. So they are dishonest across the board.
When I read all the negative comments on this post, it simply confirms my thought that people are afraid of the truth. You aren’t asking them to blindly agree with what you are claiming, you are asking them to think about their health and what they thoughtlessly put into their mouths. I have been Paleo, mostly, for the past several years and I am 66 years old and take no medications whatsoever. I attribute this to eating “real food” , good Vermont pastured meat and dairy and keeping my shopping cart free of anything that comes in a package, except for tomato products and coconut milk in the proper type of cans. Yes, it’s more expensive than eating the crap that passes for the American diet but I’m retired and if I can afford it, anyone can. It’s a question of priorities– look at the cost of eating out compared to cooking real food at home. And I love to eat and cook! There are many great food writers out there who have published cookbooks so you can’t say that real food is tasteless and boring. Big Pharma and corporate agriculture will fight to the death to keep the status quo– and the deaths will be ours and those of our children. If the tiny little state of Vermont can legislate GMO labeling, why can’t everybody?
People should research whats in the plastic-lined paper cups that these hot beverages are poured into and them consumed. Not a fan of drinking plastic with my coffee…
Thank you so much for exposing this information! Pumpkin spice lattes have always been my favorite, and along with many other people, I eagerly await their return every year. After reading this, I can safely say I will not be ordering this drink ever again unless Starbucks makes some changes. Thank you so much for providing recipes for some at-home alternatives as well.
We spilled some pumpkin latte on the carpet in the car. Left a stain that using every type of cleaner known to man, will not come out. Called customer service for advice and they could not give one, nor specific info regarding the drink. Imagine what it does to you. Ugh!
First of all… Pumpkin spice doesn’t have pumpkin in it. Duh. When you go to buy or make pumpkin spices for pumpkin pie—do you put pumpkin in it? NO! The question/claim of no pumpkin being in pumpkin spice latte is irrelevant. There isn’t pumpkin in pumpkin SPICE!
Not the point. Was never the point.
Re-read the article if you would like to make any kind of accurate comment about it.
This is one of the most asinine articles I have ever read.
1. Unless you have some sort of allergy there are zero toxic chemicals listed, if your opinion is different than this then you are wrong and need to do some research (Actual research meaning if it is on the website it needs to end in “.edu” or “.gov”)
2) If you don’t like the ingredients don’t buy it!
Good article, but worthy to note that HFCS and Sugar are at it’s core, the same thing.
Wow.
Completely false statement. Just thought I should point that out.
Both are sweeteners…and that’s about where the similarities end.
Would a Pumpkin Spice Latte made with real pumpkin, organic milk, and GMO-free sugar be “good for you” or “healthy?” I’m guessing, no, it wouldn’t.
Actually, yes, if you made it correctly and mindfully, it could be wonderful for you.
Keep your unfounded and uneducated”guesses” to yourself, A-Red. And how about finishing the article you would like to negate? Vani gives healthy, tasty recipe alternatives that you can make at home, right there – above the comment line you skipped down to.
Go back to school.
Interesting read.
I knew something was up with the PSL when I got one (my first and only) and it sat half-drank for a few hours. When I pulled the lid off to pop it in the microwave, I saw an oily film on the top. It reminded me of oil in puddles on pavement after it rains. Gross. The flavor didn’t “wow” me either, so I decided I wouldn’t ever order it again.
I looked up Dunkin Donuts menu.. they have pumpkin spice.. the ingredients of the pumpkin flavored sauce include Caramel Color… Where is the FOOD Babe? She must fight this battle as well! She must be an equal opportunity Food Babe!! Fight the good fight woman!!! Use your cuteness to end this unfair accusation to one coffee chain!!!
Stop spreading false information. It was so easy to find out the truth about this claim.
I dare you to replace your false information with the truth where everyone can see it and correct the defamation you have done.
Took only a few seconds to finds the truth.
Takes only a few seconds to drink poison, too!
Cheers, Lee! 🙂
pumpkin spice green smoothie!
http://simplegreensmoothies.com/green-smoothie-recipes/pumpkin-spice
The comments on here are just so insane. its like this poor woman is just telling people some info, if you don’t want to use said info then don’t. no one can make you stop drinking your latte so why are so many people taking this as a personal attack. its like telling someone “your going to get hit by a truck” and getting MAD at the person who let you know. don’t make personal attacks on the OP just because you are addicted to Starbucks. just wow. if this is what makes people angry you need to be taking a closer look at your life. if you want to live in blissful ignorance, don’t read an article that is called ” You’ll Never Guess What’s In A Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (Hint: You Won’t Be Happy)”
to the OP, Thank you for the info, it was a very interesting post, ignore the people who seems to want to make personal attacks on you for purely giving them the facts of what they are putting into their body. keep doing what you do 🙂
Thank you Meg! That is exactly what every positive person who comes to this website for knowledge and insight is thinking!