Starbucks Hot Drinks (except plain coffee) Not Kosher?

amother

Wed, Dec 20 2006, 5:45 pm

I knew that some of the Starbucks coffee drinks were not kosher. Now, in my community is is not recommended to buy any kind of hot coffee drink at Starbucks except plain coffee. I was under the impression if you checked the hechsher on the product they used you could have it (like whipped cream, cocoa, etc.). Now I heard no. My favorite drink is their Cafe Mocha. The cocoa and whipped cream had chof k and OU. I thought it was ok to buy. Have I been drinking treif? I don't like their regular coffee, so I guess I won't be going to Starbucks anymore. Crying

chavamom

Wed, Dec 20 2006, 8:44 pm

From Kashrut.com

Quote:

Kosher Protocol at Coffee Shops
The following information was from the Star-K's Keepting You Kurrent July, 2003.

Due to the flood of consumer inquiries regarding what can and can not be purchased at local coffee shops such as Starbucks, the Star-K has compiled the following information:

* All unflavored, roasted coffees (both regular and decaf.), may be purchased in a disposable cup. Sugar may be added. Milk (not creamer) can be added, and is cholov stam.
* Creamers and flavors may be added separately after the consumer verifies that the label of the original container bears reliable certification.
* Only packaged food items bearing reliable certification may be purchased.
* At Starbucks, bottled beverages bearing a KD are certified kosher, dairy, chalav stam, by R� Zevulun Charlop.
* Frapuccino, whipped toppings, and other beverages prepared in coffee shops are not recommended since they are made in carafes/pump pots that are not exclusively used for kosher beverages.

Our local va'ad says the lattes are fine if you don't keep chalav yisrael