Is it possible to get food poisoning from a Starbucks drink? (Safe Starbucks drinks and foods + All you need to know)
I love my daily Starbucks coffee because it keeps me energized in the fast-paced environment of New York. However, I remember an incident I had when I ordered a latte, and a few hours after drinking it I fell sick – to the point of having to be taken to the hospital. The diagnosis: Food poisoning.
While I made a full recovery a few days later, this made me think about possible cases of food poisoning you may experience when taking a Starbucks drink and why. These cases are relatively common so it is still worth knowing for your health’s sake.
So, yes, it is possible to get sick after consuming Starbucks drinks if they are contaminated with microorganisms such as listeria and salmonella that find their way into them.
Why do Starbucks drinks make me feel sick?
The blame for any food-related illnesses that occur after consuming your Starbucks drink is due to the presence of two microorganisms: E.coli or salmonella. Ingesting contaminated drinks can lead to symptoms such as vomiting and bloating, as well as diarrhea.
It is also common to feel weakness or a loss of appetite after drinking contaminated Starbucks drinks, as was in my case. This tends to commonly occur with Starbucks cold drinks that are meant to remain cool without refrigeration.
Why does consuming Starbucks drinks lead to stomach pain?

Any coffee drink you take can irritate your stomach, including Starbucks coffees and drinks in general. Food poisoning leads to excessive discomfort, with diarrhea and stomach pain being the main symptoms, as well as loose stool that may have blood or mucus discharge.
You might also notice that you feel pain when you attempt to pass stool, and also stomach pain, bloating, cramping, fever, and vomiting that can last for a few hours or days. Depending on the specific virus or bacteria that infected you, the symptoms could range from mild to severe.
Can Starbucks coffee make you sick?
Yes, Starbucks coffee can make you sick. This can occur because of food poisoning issues resulting from the presence of salmonella, and these can last for a few hours or days depending on the severity of the infection and your body’s sensitivity.
How to deal with food poisoning resulting from Starbucks drinks?
Since food poisoning causes diarrhea, you must rehydrate to replenish the water stores in your body to give yourself a better chance of recovery. This can be in the form of water, ice chips if you are having problems with liquid intake, as well as alternative liquids like soups and broths. However, avoid taking caffeinated drinks because they will dehydrate you further.
Bland food will assist your digestive system to recover as well and prepare the stomach to handle stronger foods. Before eating it, you can wait for the vomiting or diarrhea to pass, then pay close attention to the food you consume during recovery, including avoiding Starbucks foods and drinks for some time.
In case no home remedies work for you, ensure you visit your hospital for medical assistance. This will also apply if you do not see improvements in your condition within 48 hours, or if you see blood in your stool.
Which Starbucks foods and drinks won’t give you food poisoning?

The Iced Passion Tango Tea is great for preventing stomach discomfort because it has a mix of lemongrass, apple, hibiscus, and cinnamon, and is free of fat and sugar. Additionally, Earl Grey Tea is a great low-calorie dairy-free option that works for those on a low-calorie diet.
For Starbucks snacks, try the Chicken & Quinoa Protein Bowl with Greens and Black Beans, the Oatmeal, and Egg Bites.
Conclusion
Food poisoning can happen to anyone, even regular Starbucks consumers. If it happens, these tips I discuss should help you to recover faster, as well as know the foods and drinks you should avoid in the future.
FAQs
Is it possible to get food poisoning from Starbucks?
Yes, it is possible if salmonella or E.coli is present in your Starbucks drink.