K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Starbucks Ends Expanded Star-K Kosher Information Program

July 13, 2018 from the Star-K:

Please be advised that starbucks corporation has decided to end the expanded star-k kosher information program.
Consumers are advised that effective immediately the STAR-K can no longer vouch for the kashrus of many of the items previously listed as recommended at these stores.
Items no longer approved include Frappuccinos, Mocha, and Caramel Sauce.
All recommendations for unflavored coffee are still the same.
In addition, Starbucks has also decided to end the kosher-friendly store program which was available in select stores in NY and NJ.
The Star-K webpage has been updated to reflect these changes.
Consumers who would like to see this program reinstated should contact starbucks directly.
Customers must confirm kashrus of additives to coffee by themselves by checking for reliable kosher symbols.

Star-K Starbucks recommendations chart.

July 11, 2018 COR Twitter Feed
COR's position has always been to allow regular & decaf unflavoured coffee/tea from Starbucks or any other coffee shop. COR advises to avoid purchasing any other products made in restaurants/coffee shops that aren't under reliable kosher certification.

Ingredient Notice: Starbucks Beverage Preparation

July 13, 2018 from FARE

Starting July 10, Starbucks removed dairy labels from steaming and blending pitchers. Because our beverages are made using shared equipment (steaming wands, blender pitcher, rinsers) the removal of the sticker is more transparent and realistic of how the pitchers are used. As a beverage standard, our baristas use a rinsed pitcher for each handcrafted beverage. If you have questions or concerns, please ask your barista to remake the drink using a fresh pitcher and please remember that this does not guarantee that the beverage will be allergen-free.
Concerns should be directed to Starbucks Customer Service at 800-Starbuc (800-782-7282).

July 15, 2018 from Jpost.com
The Jerusalem Post reported that A spokesperson for the company told them by email: "Starbucks worked with the Star-K program to test a kosher-friendly equipment rinse practices certification in seven stores in New York and New Jersey for two years. This was not a national test. At the conclusion of the test, we decided to sunset the program." "When asked why Starbucks chose to sunset the program at this time and if the company has any plans for reaching out to other kosher certifying agencies or to kosher-keeping consumers, the spokesperson said: 'We do not have further information to share about [sic] this time.'"

CRC Guide to Starbucks Beverages

July, 2018: CRC:
Over the years, Starbucks shops have evolved from simple coffee shops to stores that serve many kosher and non-kosher items, with the most serious non-kosher items being hot meat sandwiches. The standard daily clean up at Starbucks includes a hot wash of all utensils and some parts of that washing are done without soap. This clean up process challenges the kosher status of the otherwise kosher products and each product must be judged by a competent halachic authority.
When evaluating these issues, Rav Schwartz שליט"א, Rosh Beis Din of the cRc, acknowledged that there is basis for being lenient on many of the items being sold at Starbucks stores, but directed the cRc to be true to the mission of a reliable Kashrus Agency which only recommends items that are free of all shailos and not those which are only acceptable b’dieved.
Rav Schwartz noted that this is especially true because there are viable alternatives in every Starbucks store, and even more options in those locations that do not serve hot meat sandwiches. These are generally the Starbucks “kiosks” that can be found in some airports, highway rest-stops, supermarkets etc., and at these locations the cRc is able to recommend many more beverages, as noted on the list below. [Some kiosks, such as those found at Target, share sinks and other equipment with nearby stores; those Starbucks facilities have the status of the full-service stores noted below.]
To fully explain the details, questions, and shailos involved in this issue the cRc printed an analysis of the topic in the Spring 2011 edition of The Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society , and that article is available on the cRc website.
The list is accurate at this time for stores in the United States and Canada, and since the information is subject to change this list should not be used after May 30, 2019 . [The list here is limited to beverages and does not address foods sold in Starbucks (e.g. sandwiches), or toppings and other items added to beverages.] It is also worth noting that many items sold at Starbucks are dairy and chalav stam.

London Beth Din - Coffee Shops (Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero etc)

Please note that it is always preferable to purchase hot drinks from a kosher supervised establishment, but if this is not possible, it would be permitted to have plain coffee in a disposable cup from any coffee shop, provided that the coffee and water come from a machine which does not dispense any liquid other than water or plain coffee.
One may add cold milk or plain soya milk from its original container. Hot water, milk or coffee from jugs is better avoided.
Whipped toppings, frothed milk and beverages such as cappuccinos, frappuccinos and hot chocolate etc are not permitted.
Starbucks Coffee Syrups are no longer KLBD certified.