Starbucks sued for alleged false advertising of ‘ethical’ coffee

(The Hill) — The National Consumers League (NCL) on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, saying the corporation engages in false advertising by claiming to be committed to “ethical” sourcing when it still relies on farms that face accusations of human rights and labor abuses.

The lawsuit, filed in D.C. Superior Court, seeks to block Starbucks from engaging in the alleged practice of misleading the public and seeks unspecified damages.

The lawsuit takes aim at the certification process that NCL claims Starbucks often relies on, “Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices,” which, the lawsuit alleges, Starbucks describes as “designed to promote transparent, profitable and sustainable coffee growing practices while also protecting the well-being of coffee farmers and workers, their families and their communities.”

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, found at ozarksfirst.com)