Starbucks Corp. prevailed against New York customers’ claims that the coffee chain misled consumers by advertising high-end products while using noxious pesticides, in a new opinion in federal district court.
The customers alleged many of Starbucks’ New York locations have cockroaches, flies and other pests, tarnishing the chain’s claims of a “perfect” coffee experience. But, the customers “fail to allege any materially misleading conduct,” according to an opinion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
“Nearly all of the language the customers object to,” including Starbucks’ claims of the best coffee, consists of “obvious puffery.” ...