‘It’s Toxic’: Starbucks Baristas Are Issuing A Warning About Its New ‘Blending Powder.’ Should You Be Worried?

Both Starbucks customers and employees have recently raised concerns over a new ingredient used in the chain’s newly introduced cold drinks: blending powder.

Two Starbucks baristas filmed and then posted a TikTok video showing how the ingredient acts up close.

In the clip, they placed just the powder inside a blender and documented it as it turned into a white paste, which then appeared to turn yellow.

“It stinks so bad,” one of the workers says in the video, also calling the powder “toxic.”

That video blew up on TikTok with over 3.3 million views, prompting another creator, @WallStreetApes on X, to address the claims in the video. TikTok account @plaza849 then reposted it to TikTok, where the video got over 8.2 million views.

“Starbucks employees expose that Starbucks is using ‘blending powder’ in many of their newer drinks,” the creator wrote in the video. “This new powder was just introduced this month. If you drink Starbucks you should be concerned about this.”

WallStreetApes Thinks The Powder Is Dangerous

In the reposted video, @WallStreetApes films their screen, which shows a conversation they are having with an AI tool about the blending powder.

The creator then discusses the results.

“A lot of Starbucks employees have been complaining about this ‘blending powder,’ and it’s going in more and more of their drinks,” they say.

According to the creator, the powder acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer.

“The gums and other components help create a smoother, more consistent frozen blended texture and slow separation that would otherwise happen sooner after the drink leaves the blender,” they say.

However, @WallStreetApes argues that the ingredient raises concerns for workers who may breathe it in while making drinks.

“I’ve seen a lot of videos of baristas at Starbucks coughing,” they say. “They say that this is hurting their throats.”

The creator then focuses on silica, or silicon dioxide, which they say is used as an anti-caking agent to keep the powder from clumping.

“Inhalation is a real issue,” they say, adding that fine powder can become airborne when workers scoop it.

They also argue that the airborne powder could explain why some baristas say they are coughing or getting headaches.

“It’s not good,” they say.

The creator then claims there are “other controversies” with the ingredients in the blending powder, though the AI tool does not list any others.

“This is not something we should be eating,” they say. “This is not something we should be drinking. Our food is a science experiment, and this has to stop.”

Should You Be Worried About Starbucks’ New Blending Powder?

The ingredients circulating online for the blending powder are gum arabic, maltodextrin, xanthan gum, natural flavor, food-grade silica, and stevia extract.

Silica has caused the most uproar, with some people claiming it is toxic or could cause serious illness.

However, silicon dioxide is an FDA-approved food additive. It is commonly used as an anti-caking agent in foods and supplements to keep ingredients from clumping or sticking together.

It also occurs naturally and can be found in foods such as bananas, leafy greens, and more, according to WebMD.

That does not mean workers’ concerns should be ignored.

Numerous Starbucks workers have come forward online saying they have experienced adverse symptoms after breathing in the powder. These include trouble breathing, headaches, stomachaches, itchy throats, and others.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some types of silica dust can cause silicosis, “a lung disease that can develop from breathing in silica dust, usually around mining and construction sites.”

Cleveland Clinic also notes that silica is nontoxic if you drink it or eat it, but inhaling certain kinds of silica dust can cause respiratory problems.

Starbucks partners have demanded that the company address those concerns. Starbucks Workers United, the worker-led union of Starbucks partners, said on social media that the powder “becomes airborne easily” and said Starbucks needs to address the issue if workers are reporting side effects.

The Mary Sue has reached out to Starbucks via email to request a comment on this matter.

Has Starbucks Responded?

On July 27, Starbucks addressed the blending powder controversy on its website.

“The product used in our coffeehouses is a blending powder which contains a small amount of food grade silica, an FDA-approved ingredient commonly used in food products that helps ingredients mix consistently and supports a consistent beverage experience,” the company wrote. “It does not contain crystalline silica and is safe for use in food.”

However, the company’s statement does not address whether workers should take any special precautions when scooping or handling the powder during a shift.

Commenters Are Concerned

Under @plaza849’s video, commenters were alarmed by the claims.

“The FDA is useless,” one viewer wrote.

Another person said, “America is killing its own citizens.”

One commenter, who said they work in science, focused on inhalation rather than drinking the finished beverage.

“As someone working in science, silica dust is EXTREMELY harmful to inhale,” they said. “My staff are required to wear FULL RESPIRATORS when working with it. please leave this job immediately I’m so serious y’all are too young.”

“And that is why I make my coffee at home,” a fourth wrote.

@plaza849 Starbucks employees expose that Starbucks is using “blending powder” in many of their newer drinks This new powder was just introduced this month. If you drink Starbucks you should be concerned about this This “blending powder” consists of Gum arabic, maltodextrin, xanthan gum, natural flavor, silica and stevia extract (rebaudioside-A) The reason they use it is because it acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer The gums and other components create a smoother, more consistent frozen blended texture and slows separation that would otherwise happen soon after the drink leaves the blender Starbucks employees have been making videos saying it makes their throats hurt, makes them cough and makes their head hurt The silica is silicon dioxide and acts as an anti-caking agent. This is a very controversial ingredient for health concerns But it’s also a concern for these Starbucks employees because inhaling it is dangerous #viralvideo #starbucks #drinking #contamination ♬ original sound – ｐｌａｚａ

The Mary Sue has also reached out to @WallStreetApes via X and @plaza849 via TikTok messages for comment.

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