Man gets cup from St. Augustine Starbucks that says 'DIABETES HERE I COME' on label

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Some need a pick me-up in the early mornings. Many people head to Starbucks for their dose of caffeine.

However, one customer received an unexpected comment on their coffee cup label: “DIABETES HERE I COME.”

That's the message printed on a grande cup of white mocha served to a customer at the Palencia Starbucks.

A photo of the message on the cup was shared with Action News Jax on Facebook.

“That first word just automatically brought the picture of both sisters in my head, and I was taken aback,” said the Starbucks customer.

This customer told Action News Jax he works near the coffee shop and a fellow employee picked up coffees for their staff.  His cup had the unusual message. He told Action News Jax the diabetes statement hits close to home because his two sisters suffer from type 1 diabetes.

“Just the struggles they went through and all the doctor appointments they had,” said the customer. Action News Jax took the questions to store manager, Kent Miller and showed him pictures of the cup. When asked if this was something Starbucks condones, he said, “No, we definitely don’t condone, but let me find more about this, and I will talk to my boss.”

Miller said the only thing that should be written on the label is the drink type and the name of the customer.

Action News Jax sent an email and called Starbucks corporate headquarters for a comment, and they said, “We strive to provide an inclusive and positive experience for our customers, and we're disappointed to learn of this incident. We are working directly with the customer to apologize for his experience, and with our partners (employees) to ensure this does not happen again.”

A 16-ounce white chocolate mocha has 470 calories when it’s made with 2-percent milk. The customer wrote a note on the same cup and left a message for the baristas in hopes these employees won’t judge other people. The note reads, "2 of my sisters are diabetic, so ... not funny."

“Seeing and knowing the struggle my sisters went through by third, fourth grade, it definitely struck a nerve, and I didn’t just want to let it go,” said the customer.

The customer said he doesn’t need an apology. Instead, he just wants reassurance that this won’t happen to a future customer.

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