Starbucks stores in Korea do not declare the price of short-sized drinks, so that Koreans often buy the tall-sized drinks as the smallest size. (image credit: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – A Seoul based NGO has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Drug and Food Safety, saying that Starbucks Korea is violating the Food Sanitation Act by not indicating the prices of short-sized beverages on its menus.
According to the Seoul YMCA, Starbucks Korea officially sells four sizes of drinks in its shops: short, tall, grande and venti. However, Starbucks stores in Korea do not declare the price of short-sized drinks, so that Koreans often buy the tall-sized drinks as the smallest size.
The Seoul YMCA argued that Starbucks Korea intentionally omits sales information for short-sized drinks, and in spite of repeated pressure to correct the oversight, the company has yet to respond to the in any meaningful way.
Of note, it said that Starbucks critically infringes the rights of customers with respect to choice, and adds an economic burden to customers by making them purchase more expensive drinks. “Starbucks Korea should provide proper menus and price lists including short-sized drinks,” it added.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
