Starbucks Coffee

Quote   "Perfect Oatmeal with choice of Dried Fruit, Nut Medley, Brown Sugar (Vegan, Gluten-Free)"

Can you confirm exactly what is gluten-free, this has me very excited as this will be the first thing other than your fruit that is gluten-free in Canada. I go to my local about 3 times a day and anything food would be welcome.

Good work Katie! Your work should be the gold standard for all of Starbucks - become customer-friendly. Your work will attract customers and increase same-store-sales and eventually Starbucks stock value.

Too many of Starbucks other policies actually drive their customers to their competitors (non-free wifi, forced Pike Puke, dribble cups, etc.)

I totally applaud your work and proactive accomplishments.

Thank you Katie

I tried the power protein plate and loved it! Everyone's different (for example, I threw out the egg yolk and wished their was one more egg white), but on the whole it was a great little breakfast--even if it is $4.95. Now if only they'd bring back the thai chicken wrap (it was the only thing without tomatoes and cheese...enough with the cheese!).

Anyway, thanks for the tasty morning. As for the oatmeal toppings, hopefully they'll start posting calorie/nutritional content at all of your stores...not just as required by law in NY!

A fan,

Ms. Liz

As a celiac for 5 years I was excited to hear that Starbucks was adding gluten-free items to there menu.  However, after reading this post I have some concerns.

Oats are not gluten-free unless they are processed in an uncontaminated environment. According to Gluten.net "Research shows that pure, uncontaminated oats in moderation (1/2 cup dry daily) are safe for most persons with celiac disease. "

Also, there is barley malt in the fruit and nut bar. Barley isn't gluten-free.

Another concern is the fact that these items are in close contact with wheat items.  There is a large risk for cross-contamination.

I was also told by a barista the they were told the protein and fiber powder wasn't gluten-free.  They let me read the bag and it said it is produced on a line that also produces wheat.  I was saddened to hear they they are now steaming this in the steaming pitchers.  I feel that it is no longer safe for my health to consume steamed beverages at Starbucks.

I'm glad that Starbucks is attempting to cater to celiacs but I won't be trying any of the new items.

Gluten-Free for 5 years, Seattle

I am saddened that although Katie said something was gluten-free, I don't know what is. As well my daughter (who by the way works for Starbucks) is currently holidaying in London, England and has been able to enjoy many gluten-free items at the cafes there. Why or Why can't we get someone who understands our problems and needs. Gluten-free isn't that unknown and believe me there is a huge market potential out there.

Not all Celiacs can eat oats, and it is especially important that the oats are certified gluten-free.  Most oats are manufactured with wheat so they are contaminated with gluten.  I wish there was actually something for sure safe for those of us who absolutely cannot tolerate gluten.  I'd rather not risk getting sick.  

Love that you are coming up with more breakfast ideas, but please don't get rid of the breakfast sandwiches!!!!

You need to research gluten free--you should advertise them as wheat free, which is more correct.  The proposed FDA regulations for gluten free labeling will not consider  oats to be gluten free UNLESS they have been tested to less than 20 ppm of gluten.  This is because most commerical oats are contaminated from contact with other gluten grains.  

Have you tested the oat products you are are using?  There are a few companies that make dedicated gf oats; if Starbucks is using those brands, I recommend you note that on your site because most with Celiac disease know they cannot have commerical brand oats.

Finally, to maintain gf status of any product, contact with any other product with wheat, barley, or rye cannot occur.  Does Starbucks policy ensure that stores segregate their gluten free products? I've never seen evidence of this.

Honestly, I'd never let my daughter---the one with Celiac disease---ever try your products that are advertised as gluten free.

As a follow up---I LOVE that Starbucks would look at providing GF items and I hope that they are able to in the future.  I am just concerned that the specifics of the gluten free ingredients and processing are not be addressed as well as needed to keep those with Celiac disease safe.  

It is very, very hard to find safe restaurant food for my daughter that she enjoys and any restaurant that provides reliably gf options gets our consistent business.

Please research what "gluten free" means.  This can be misleading to someone who has recently been diagnosed with celieac disease or gluten intolerance.  We have to educate ourselves extensively on the hidden dangers of gluten.  Your items with oats do not sound like they are coming from a facility that is strickly gluten free.  

Katie,

I am a Starbucks fan for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is because of the care your company has always shown those of us with food allergies and intolerances.  

When this blog entry was posted, *many* of my readers forwarded me the message. I was so excited to think that Starbucks would be offering gluten-free options. However, as many have noted before me, it does not seem that your items are gluten-free.

Oats, for those on a gluten-free diet, need to be certified gluten-free. And all gluten-free food offerings need to be protected against cross-contamination in both the manufacturing of the items and in the store.  Since you did not mention how this would happen in your blog, I am guessing that standards have not yet been put into place to ensure the safety of those who need to avoid gluten.

Starbucks, it seems, needs to do more research into the requirements of the gluten-free diet and what that means to ensure safety at the store level.

I don't doubt that Starbucks is up to the task. Right now, however, I do doubt that you have looked thoroughly into this matter.

If your items are not made from gluten-free oats and handled in a gluten-free facility, I urge you to remove the words "gluten-free" from your post to ensure the health and safety of those on a gluten-free diet.  

Elizabeth Barbone

Author, Easy Gluten-Free Baking

Thank you for removing the words Gluten-Free from your post.

Please consider providing Gluten-Free pastries in the future.

Gluten-Free for 5 Years, Seattle

I was wondering about the fat content in these new additions. Are there more polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats than the saturated? I'm on the South Beach Diet plan and these are the healthy ones recommended on SBD. How much sugar has been cut from these new additions?

Katie,

Thanks for the update and for removing the word "gluten-free" from your blog post.  I really hope Starbucks can offer gluten-free pastries in the future!

I am still confused about your update in this blog. Were your oats really from a certified gluten-free supplier? Unless oats are from a gluten-free source, they are *not* okay for someone on a gluten-free diet. Your update makes it sound like they are safe.

Thanks again for listening!

Elizabeth Barbone

Owner, GlutenFreeBaking.com

Author, Easy Gluten-Free Baking

I love the berry stella and oatmeal.  Simple, tasty and not too many calories or fat.  Please continue to provide even more of these types of items!

The Oatmeal is fine for me, but my spouse, who is celiac, still can't eat anything. She and I would love for the Oatmeal to be gluten-free!

I do appreciate the multi-grain roll. So often I want something to eat, but not sweet! The roll is perfect.

Thanks for the new healthy options!!

Katie (I presume)....I was looking for a place to provide feedback on the Oatmeal. It was not clear, so we will use this format.

Thanks for adding the oatmeal. It's a nice addition to the menu HOWEVER, there are some things to consider improving so it does NOT end an unnecessary death in the product category...

GOOD:

- Feels healthy

- Goes well with coffee

- Easy to make (and customize with toppings)

Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Opportunities

- Expensive for what you get

- Water is NOT hot enough to really make it hot

- Inconsistent process for serving with stores (sometimes I get it mixed together and other times I get a bowl and the packets of toppings

- it SLOWS DOWN the serving line for the order takers since they become the waiter and the cook...this will hurt other product sales

-

My input is based on ordering the product over 6 times (limited but enough).

As a fan of Starbucks and a shareholder, i want you to get it right.

Ron

Thank you so much i can finally enjoy breakfast with my coffee.

It would be beneficial to provide almond milk for lattes since a lot of people can't do dairy OR soy (which isn't that great for you anyway).  Please provide almond mik - the store I am closest to is #508!

I just had the power protein plate for lunch. It was really good, and I enjoyed eating from a variety of food groups and knowing it was all healthy! I, too, scooped out the yolk and ate only the egg white. It was all good.

Oh yeah, and I love the Berry Stella! It's yummy too!

Katie,

Do they use Quaker Oatmeal for the Starbucks oatmeal? On the toppings there should be some real fruit choices instead of dried sugar loaded fruit in a bag.

I LOVE the new breakfast items! I also love the prices are so great!

I have to tell you! The perfect oatmeal lives up to it's name! I get to work VERY EARLY and there is a store just a few doors down from me that I can count on being up early with me, and the one thing I look forward to, to start my day off  PERFECT, is some "PERFECT OATMEAL" with the works (all three pouches of yummy additions) in the cutest most convenient cup in the world, served up with a friendly smile from the store on North Decatur & I-215 in Las Vegas Nevada! This makes my early a.m breakfast healthy and very tasty! KUDOS to whoever developed the packaging for this breakfast item, I have to be honest, it was that little bowl that pulled me into eating oatmael again!  

Your fruit & nut bar was a Godsend--a right-sized alternative to pastry carbs. My local Starbucks stopped carrying it in late November, saying that the supplier is not delivering it and it is a seasonal product. These sound like excuses du jour. Are there not standards for franchise dependability?

Vegetarians also want reduced fat breakfast sandwhiches.  Oatmeal is crap... we need protein.  How hard could it be?