Starbucks Steel Straw Recall Issued Following Child Injury Reports

Starbucks is recalling nearly 3 million stainless steel drinking straws, following reports of children slicing their mouths on them while drinking. 

The Starbucks straw recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on August 2, after at least four consumer complaints were received involving children who suffered lacerations to the mouth due to the rigid design of the steel straws. To date, three children in the United States and one child in Canada have suffered lacerations to the mouth during use of the straws.

The recall includes Starbucks reusable stainless steel “Cold-to-Go” food grade drinking straws that were sold in a “Grande” size, measuring approximately 9.5 inches long and a “Venti”size, measuring approximately 10.4 inches long. The straws are designed with a ridge at the bottom to keep the straw attached to the lid. Recalled Cold-to-Go straws were packaged and sold in sets of three and were also sold as a component of the Grande 16 ounce cups and Venti 24 ounce cups.

According to the CPSC, an estimated 2.5 million recalled straws were sold in the United States and an additional 301,000 were distributed for sale in Canada.

The straws were manufactured in China for Starbucks Corporation of Seattle, Washington. They were sold exclusively at Starbucks stores nationwide and online at Starbucks.com from June 2012 through June 2016 for about $6 for a set of three straws, and between $11 and $30 when purchased with a beverage cup.

The CPSC is advising parents and guardians to remove the straws from young children’s possession and to discontinue the use of the straws. Customers with questions or concerns regarding the recall are encouraged to contact Starbucks at 800-782-7282 or visit them online at news.starbucks.com and navigate to the “stainless steel straw warnings” link for further information. To date, no remedy to consumers has been provided by Starbucks.