Pumpkin Spice Lattes from the popular coffee chain Starbucks are an autumn staple for some, vegans not included.
Brent Caldwell, of Ferndale, Mich., wasn't happy with the fact that there was not way to make the fall drink vegan, the Los Angeles Times reported. He decided to take action by starting a petition on Change.org.
"I am a huge fan of Starbucks. My girlfriend and I will visit our favorite location up to four times a week. We are also both vegan. Normally this is not a tremendous issue at Starbucks because so many drinks can be made with vegan and dairy-free ingredients, which generally just means using soy milk instead of cows milk," Caldwell wrote in his petition's statement.
"Sadly, in the case of the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte, this does not hold true. There is currently no vegan option for this drink mix, which is a total bummer," he wrote.
Caldwell said the drink contained condensed milk, and this fact was not often advertised or mad known by Starbucks employees.
"Many people are shocked to hear that the mix contains condensed milk because there's no way anyone would be able to tell walking into a store and placing an order. Employees don't even realize it has milk in it!" Caldwell said.
The Starbucks website lists the drink's ingredients as "Signature espresso blended with the unmistakable spices of fall -- cinnamon, nutmeg and clove -- smooth with steamed milk, topped with delectably sweetened whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices," the Los Angeles Times reported.
A Starbucks representative admitted the drink does contain condensed milk.
"We really welcome customer feedback like this," the rep told the Los Angeles Times. "We have our VIA Pumpkin Spice coffee that does not contain dairy. We also have our Pumpkin Spice Topping that you can finish the beverage with if a customer wanted to add that hint of fall."
People can turn to the My Starbucks Idea website to sell their drink ideas to the coffee giant.
