Starbucks Faces Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Alleged Safety Cover-Up and Retaliatory Firing
A high-ranking Starbucks executive who reported maggot infestations and potential fire hazards in new company equipment claims she was fired in retaliation, according to a lawsuit filed in Washington state. The case raises serious questions about corporate accountability and food safety protocols within the global coffee chain.
Janice Waszak, a 20-year veteran who rose to Director of Concept Innovation, oversaw testing of the "Siren System," a high-speed beverage machine developed to streamline operations. In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Waszak alleges the system had critical design flaws that made proper cleaning difficult, leading to maggots in the milk dispenser in 2022. A separate incident in 2023 involved a machine catching fire due to a suspected manufacturing defect.
Despite escalating concerns to senior leadership, including Senior Vice President Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Waszak claims her warnings were ignored. The lawsuit further alleges that pressure was applied to alter an internal report on the Siren System's in-store testing to present more favorable results—a request Waszak refused. Following an ethics complaint she filed in December 2023, Waszak was terminated days later for alleged policy violations related to workplace conduct, despite recommendations for a lesser disciplinary action.
Starbucks, in a statement to PEOPLE, denied the allegations, calling them "entirely without merit" and stating Waszak's separation followed an investigation into policy violations. The company expressed confidence in its legal position.
This lawsuit arrives as Starbucks navigates unionization efforts and increased scrutiny of its labor practices. Legal experts suggest the case could test the strength of whistleblower protections in corporate environments, particularly when public health allegations are involved.
Voices from the Community
Michael R., former restaurant health inspector, Seattle: "If the allegations about the cleaning design are true, it's a fundamental failure. Equipment that can't be properly sanitized is a direct public health risk. Regulatory bodies should be taking a very close look."
Sarah Chen, retail analyst: "This lawsuit highlights the tension between operational innovation and core safety standards. The push for faster service cannot come at the expense of customer and employee safety. Starbucks' reputation is built on trust; this case could erode it significantly."
David Miller, barista and union organizer: "This is exactly the kind of corporate arrogance we're fighting against. They fire a 20-year employee for telling the truth while pushing untested, dangerous equipment into stores to save seconds? It's disgusting and proves they care more about profit than people or safety."
Linda Gibson, longtime Starbucks customer: "I'm shocked. As a daily customer, you assume the highest standards of cleanliness. The thought of maggots in the equipment is horrifying. I'll be thinking twice about my next order."