Does Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Still Contain Caramel Color Level IV?

Claims resurface about Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) containing caramel color Level IV, a controversial additive linked to potential health risks through its association with 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which some studies suggest may be carcinogenic. These claims alarm health-conscious consumers. However, we found that this claim is outdated. Starbucks removed caramel coloring from the PSL in 2015, and the current formulation does not contain this additive.

Social Media Claims

Multiple posts on Facebook and Instagram claim that Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte still includes caramel color Level IV, a synthetic additive often used to create a rich brown hue in colas and some coffee drinks.

Source | Archive

Fact Check

What Is Caramel Color Level IV and Why Is It Controversial?

Caramel color Level IV is made by heating sugars with ammonia and sulfites. This creates 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B). This classification comes from animal research where high doses of 4-MEI led to increased lung tumors, liver damage, and leukemia in laboratory rodents. (Source)

Although scientists haven’t extensively studied 4-MEI’s effects in humans, California’s Proposition 65 requires warning labels on products containing more than 29 micrograms of 4-MEI per day due to potential cancer risks. The U.S. FDA has not banned caramel color Level IV but monitors its use and suggests limiting consumption, especially for vulnerable groups. (Source: Consumer Reports, FDA)

Starbucks’ Official Ingredient Reformulation

Starbucks removed caramel color from the Pumpkin Spice Latte. In 2015, the company announced that they would make the drink without artificial caramel coloring and would start using real pumpkin instead. This announcement appeared on Starbucks’ official website and was confirmed by company representatives.

Starbucks made this change after customers expressed concerns about artificial ingredients, including caramel color. The updated ingredient list, which Starbucks published officially, showed that caramel coloring had been replaced with natural alternatives like annatto and fruit and vegetable juice. (Source: Seattle Times, Starbucks)

Ingredient lists for the Pumpkin Spice Latte, both in-store and retail versions, do not contain caramel color Level IV. The primary flavor and color sources now include: Pumpkin puree, Cane sugar, Annatto (natural color), Fruit and vegetable juices for color, Natural flavors . (Source)

Conclusion

The claim that Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte contains caramel color Level IV is false and outdated. The available evidence indicates that Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte no longer contains caramel color Level IV. According to company announcements and ingredient lists, Starbucks removed caramel coloring from the PSL in 2015, replacing it with natural coloring ingredients and adding real pumpkin puree to the recipe. This change was implemented following consumer concerns about potential health risks associated with 4-MEI. Current ingredient disclosures do not list caramel color Level IV among the components of the PSL formulation.