Customers complained of stomach pain after drinking Starbucks’ new beverage.
On April 10, CNN reported that some customers who ate the new menu ‘Oleato’ were bursting with dissatisfaction. Starbucks unveiled the Oleato menu item in Italy during Milan Fashion Week in February. The extra virgin olive oil is added to a coffee drink with a tablespoon. The Oleato includes a golden foam cold brew, an ice shake espresso made with oat milk, and an oat milk latte.
Since then, Starbucks has expanded its stores in the United States. The drink is available at Reserve stores in Chicago, New York and Seattle and select retail stores in Seattle and Los Angeles (LA).
CNN noted in an earlier interview that Starbucks chief marketing officer Brady Brewer called Oleato “the biggest project they’ve put out in decades”.
Several consumer reviews have been posted online saying they had to go to the bathroom due to stomach pain after drinking oleato. According to CNN, a netizen who identified himself as a barista working at Starbucks wrote on the online community Reddit, “Half the team tried this drink yesterday, and some ended up having to go to the bathroom.”
Other consumers also left comments on social media, such as Twitter, saying, “This drink makes me feel weird,” “Never order oleato,” and “I have a sensitive stomach, so I won’t even touch this drink.”
CNN reports that Starbucks drinks contain caffeine as a stimulant and olive oil as a relaxant. This is a weak combination for some.
The media quoted a nutritionist saying a 16-ounce (about 453 g) drink contains 34 grams of fat, which is more than the amount people normally consume in one meal. Olive oil softens the stool and is good for constipation. The nutritionist said that although the drink itself will not cause physical illness, it can cause discomfort, such as having to go to the bathroom in a hurry or experiencing abdominal cramps.
