Starbucks Faces Legal Woes Over Kenyan Coffee

Starbucks, a well-known coffee chain in the United States, is facing legal action from the National Consumers League.

According to the lawsuit, Starbucks engaged in unethical practices when sourcing coffee from Kenya, Brazil, and Guatemala. The advocacy group argues that the multinational corporation employed dishonest marketing strategies by promoting its coffee as ethically sourced. However, the legal case highlights the mistreatment and violation of human rights suffered by workers on coffee farms in Kenya, as well as similar situations in Brazil and Guatemala.

National Consumers League CEO Sally Greenberg stresses that in the last ten years, both investigative journalists and government representatives have revealed extensive mistreatment occurring on coffee and tea farms and cooperatives that provide Starbucks with its supplies. Greenberg contends that despite numerous chances to correct their deceptive advertising, Starbucks has neglected to make any changes. The CEO calls upon Starbucks to adjust their marketing strategies to confront the purported exploitation of labour on the farms from which the company obtains its coffee.

In response to NBC’s investigation, Starbucks has declared their close collaboration with all their farms to ensure compliance with the company’s standards. Emphasizing its dedication to upholding the guidelines outlined in the Global Human Rights Statement, Starbucks acknowledges their awareness of the legal action and expresses its unwavering resolve to vehemently counter the accusations that it had misled customers regarding its commitment to ethical sourcing.

Starbucks has been embroiled in multiple legal disputes as a result of its procurement practices. In 2020, the company faced litigation for acquiring coffee that was harvested by underage labourers on various farms. According to reports, these young workers endured harsh conditions, working tirelessly for about eight hours per day, six days a week. In response to these serious allegations, Starbucks took it upon themselves to launch an investigation into the farms accused of exploiting children.