Customer : Healthy Options

BPA and Starbucks

_sbx_sspe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:01:00 GMT

Hi there-- it’s me, Sarah, from the merchandise team. I’d like to share some information about our plastic products, as well as clear up some common misconceptions regarding the use of BPA, or bisphenol- A.

Last summer, Starbucks removed the few items in our line that were manufactured with BPA. All of our current products are BPA-free except for our Recycled Tumblers (the new version of this series, coming out in early 2010, will be BPA-free and indicate so) and the Brown Soft Touch Diana Tumbler with handle. These tumblers have an exterior that is made out of poly carbonate (a plastic manufactured with BPA), but the liner-- the part of the tumbler that comes into contact with liquids-- and the lid are BPA-free.

All other serveware products are BPA-free. That sounds so good, that I’m going to say it again. Yes, all other serve ware products are BPA-free! Going forward, we are including the words “BPA-Free” on the base if a product originally contained BPA. We have some snazzy “BPA-free” stickers that are going on those new Recycled Tumblers, so be sure to look-out for them.

It is also important to remember that just because a product has the #7 recycled symbol on it, this doesn’t mean it contains BPA. The number on any plastic item refers only to the way a product can be recycled. A tumbler with poly carbonate/BPA carries a #7 recycle code, but so does an insulated tumbler with a mix of materials other than poly carbonate. A recycle code does not indicate whether a product has BPA or not.

Please feel free to continue to post on this topic and we’ll do our best to provide answers and actions.

Sarah

This blog was inspired by BPA-free Plastic Everything!

The Newest Ideas in Action

sbx_bean — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:54:00 GMT

We're making progress on ideas that you've shared with us on
My Starbucks Idea. Your ideas continue to inspire us. Keep the ideas coming!

Ideas LAUNCHED

Discount Shipping to Military Bases
Starbucks iPhone App
Display Card Balance on Register

Ideas UNDER REVIEW

Return the Cups with the Inspirational Quotes
posted by coffeecup2009

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte
posted by valeriea0001

Sugar-free Holiday!
posted by Kluvsflipflops

Ideas COMING SOON

Stop Wasting so Many Pastries!
posted by camille

Make MORE Reusable Venti Tumblers!
posted by tisjustme

Don't Make me Search my Inbox
posted by flukes

Maple Scone makes a comeback!

_sbx_evan — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:15:00 GMT

A long-time customer favorite, the Maple Pecan Scone, is returning to select markets in California and the Midwest just in time for fall. We recently raised the bar on the quality of our food. We combed through hundreds of recipes to find simple and great-tasting recipes that use high-quality ingredients. We’ve also removed artificial flavors, artificial dyes, artificial trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup. The Maple Pecan scone was our product development team’s biggest challenge, but we finally got it! The scone is packed full of praline pecans and a generous indulgent coating of maple icing and a big hit of maple. We know from the feedback on MSI you’ve missed this popular scone so we hope you try it soon!

Bring Back the Maple Oat Nut Scone
posted by Davis Fan

Poll Results: What's your favorite Starbucks food?

sbx_bean — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:00:00 GMT

This summer, Starbucks food went through a transformation. We've eliminated artificial flavors, artificial trans fats, artificial dyes, and high fructose corn syrup. We're keeping with simple ingredients, like it was home made. The result - delicious. Recipe cards are available for some of our popular items like the Banana Walnut Bread or the Outrageous Oatmeal Cookie.

In our recent MSI poll we asked What's your favorite? Here's the response:

9% chose the Low-fat Raspberry Muffin

26% chose the Banana Walnut Bread

21% chose Coffee Cake

13% chose Apple Fritter

31% chose Other

Now, the poll only allows 5 answers, but we have lots more food options. If you chose "other" here, what's your favorite food at Starbucks?

Free Pastry Day - July 21

Michelle G — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:05:00 GMT

Hello,

We've raised the bar on the quality of our food to make it more like nature intended. I invite you to join us on July 21, from store opening until 10:30 AM* at participating U.S. stores to try our delicious new food, Starbucks pastry items** will be free with the purchase of any handcrafted beverage. This is our way to say thanks and to share our great new food with you.

You told us that you wanted healthier choices and you asked us to remove artificial ingredients. We listened. We combed through hundreds of recipes to find simple and great-tasting recipes that use high-quality ingredients.

My favorite is the Low-fat Red Raspberry Muffin. It tastes homemade, bursting with whole red raspberries, a hint of citrus and topped with a light dusting of buttery streusel. We’ve cut out the artificial flavors, artificial dyes, artificial trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup from all our food case items at participating US Starbucks stores. We call it: Real Food. Simply Delicious.

Please join us for Free Pastry Day and try our new food offerings. Simply purchase any handcrafted bevrage and bring the following invitation to a participating U.S. store or show a barista on your mobile device.

Invitation details

Who:    YOU
What:   Free Pastry Day
When: July 21, store open – 10:30 AM
Where: U.S. participating stores
Why:    Experience the taste of free
How:    Bring invitation

We look forward to hearing what pastry is your favorite!

Michelle Gass
executive vice president, marketing & category

* For 24-hour stores, we'll start at 4:00am. We'll end at 10:30 AM or when the pastries run out so get in early!

** Pastries included in offer are: Muffins, Scones, Bagels, Croissants, Rolls, Breads, Pound Cakes, Morning Bun, Coffeecakes, Cheese Danish, Apple Fritter, Doughnuts, Tarts, Pies, Gluten Free Orange Valencia Cake, Tropical Paradise Bar.

Poll Results: What are you most concerned about?

analimarie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:09:00 GMT

In our last poll, we asked what you are most concerned about between high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, artifical dyes, trans fats (or none of the above). Here is how you answered:

35% said high-fructose corn syrup

9% artificial dyes

7% artificial flavors

27% trans fats

20% not concerned

Thanks for participating in the poll and be sure to check out the new poll question on the homepage.

Anali

Strawberry Banana Vivanno™ Smoothie!

sbx_kt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:19:00 GMT

Hello! It’s Katie again. For those of you I haven’t ‘met’ over MyStarbucksIdea.com, I am a registered dietitian and a proud partner on the Health & Wellness team.

We’ve heard our customers ask for more real fruit, more natural ingredients, more lean protein, and more nutritious options. So, about a year ago, we introduced Vivanno™ Nourishing Blends – a nutritious blended beverage made with simple, high-quality ingredients that deliciously delivers fiber, protein, and real fruit to give you the energy you need to make the most of your day.

Since the launch, we’ve continued to listen to your ideas and we’ve heard you loud and clear – you want a Strawberry Banana Vivanno™ Smoothie! Well, that’s exactly what you can now get a Starbucks … and it’s delicious. The new flavor will deliver the taste and nutrition you’ve come to love from Vivanno™:

Real, simple, high-quality ingredients:

a whole banana

real strawberry puree

whey protein & fiber powder

2% milk (you can choose to change the milk)

ice

Nutrition you can feel good about:

280 calories

15g protein

7g fiber

Low Fat

No artificial flavors. No artificial dyes. No artificial trans fat. No artificial sweeteners. No high fructose corn syrup. That’s right; the wonderful flavor comes from natural ingredients like real strawberry puree!

So, what else is new?

We’ve reformulated our Strawberry Sauce. Goodbye high-fructose corn syrup, added sugar, artificial flavors, and red #40. Hello more strawberry puree, juice and natural flavors. Not only will the Strawberry Banana Vivanno™ Smoothie benefit from this new Strawberry sauce, but our Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino® will now also be that much better.

The new strawberry sauce is less sweet than the old, so for those customers who have come to know and love the sweetness of our Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino ® blended beverage and Strawberry Lemonade, we are now adding Classic Syrup (which is free from artificial flavors, artificial dyes, and high-fructose corn syrup) to those beverages.

We’ve not only simplified our recipes, we’ve simplified the name of the product. We’re calling Vivanno™ what it is … a Smoothie instead of a ‘Nourishing Blend’. Now, isn’t that simpler?

Whether you’re looking for a nutritious on-the-go snack to keep you going, more protein or fiber in your diet, or a delicious, guilt-free, refreshing treat – we know you’ll love Strawberry Banana Vivanno™ Smoothies.

Thanks again for your suggestions. You’ve come up with some great ideas and we’re happy to deliver on them!

Cheers,

Katie

This blog was inspired by an idea: Strawberry Banana Vivanno