Starbucks is brewing up something new in Texas — a drive-thru store built using 3D printing technology, the first of its kind in the U.S.

The innovative store just opened in Brownsville, a city along the U.S.-Mexico border with a population of about 190,000. What sets this location apart? A robotic arm layered concrete to build the store’s structure — a process that gives the building its unique ridged, tube-like walls.

While it looks like a typical Starbucks at first glance, this compact, rectangular location is part of a broader experiment in cutting-edge construction methods. Starbucks hasn’t revealed if more 3D-printed stores are coming, nor why it selected Brownsville for the debut. But it does mark the coffee giant’s first leap into this futuristic construction approach on U.S. soil.

Traditionally, 3D printing in construction has been more common in residential projects, especially as a possible solution to affordable housing shortages. Starbucks is now one of the first major retailers in the U.S. to bring the tech into the commercial space.

“It’s early days yet,” said James Rose, director of the Institute for Smart Structures at the University of Tennessee. “I’m happy to see people doing all of these different things with it… Right now, I think you’re going to see lots of experimentation, and I think that’s a good thing.”

The store sits along a busy road where locals like Faviola Maldonado took notice during construction.

“It was just different,” said Maldonado, who used to run a nearby jewelry store. “It was super high technology.”

Starbucks confirmed the structure is its first 3D-printed store in the U.S., but declined to provide further comment.

Construction experts are calling the project a sign of what’s to come.

“This is leading edge,” said Andrew McCoy of Virginia Tech’s Myers-Lawson School of Construction.

McCoy noted that 3D-printed buildings still tend to cost more than traditional ones — but the benefits include faster build times and reduced dependence on manual labor, which could make it a smart long-term investment.

“The technology is getting faster, smaller… it’s getting easier to use,” McCoy added.

Source: AP News – Starbucks’ new drive-thru in Texas is the coffee giant’s first 3D printed store in the US

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Coffee lovers, it’s time to double-check your morning brew! On March 25, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class II recall for certain coffee products from Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. The recall affects coffee sold under the “Our Family” brand, and it’s all due to a mislabeling issue.

The recall was triggered after a portion of Our Family Traverse City Cherry-Flavored Decaf Light Roast Ground Coffee was mislabelled as decaffeinated. The product, which comes in 12-ounce bags with a best-buy date of August 8, 2025, had the wrong label, causing confusion about its caffeine content.

Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, the company behind the coffee, voluntarily initiated the recall on March 13. As of now, the recall remains active, and the company has yet to provide a resolution.

This recall is classified as a Class II risk by the FDA. While the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences if consumed, the chances of serious harm are minimal. However, for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or need to avoid it for health reasons, it’s best to return or dispose of the product.

The recall affects 692 cases of the mislabeled coffee, which were distributed across 15 states:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Nebraska
• Ohio
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

If you have purchased this product in any of these states, be sure to check the packaging to see if your coffee is part of the recall.

If you have a bag of the affected coffee, you should stop using it immediately. You can return it to the store for a refund or dispose of it according to the FDA’s guidelines.

The company, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, has yet to comment on the recall request from PEOPLE.

This is not the only coffee-related recall this year. Earlier this month, the FDA issued a recall for over 75,000 bottles of two International Delight Coffee Creamers. The recall followed complaints of spoilage and illness linked to a texture issue in the creamers, though no food safety concerns were reported. Like the coffee recall, this was also classified as a Class II risk.

Danone, LLC, the parent company of International Delight, stated that the spoilage issue was caused by premature product deterioration and emphasized that the risk to consumers was minimal. Still, they opted for a voluntary recall to address the quality concern.

It’s been a year of recalls, with several food and beverage products affected, including:

• Dark chocolate products from Cal Yee Farms
• Baked goods from one of Dunkin’s vendors
• Cheese from Aldi
• Coca-Cola soda packs

These recalls highlight the ongoing effort by companies and the FDA to ensure consumer safety, even when risks are low.

While this recall is mostly about a mislabeling error, it’s a good reminder to always stay up to date on food recalls, especially if you’re sensitive to certain ingredients or caffeine. If you’re in one of the affected states and have purchased the recalled coffee, make sure to check the label and take action if necessary.

In the meantime, coffee lovers can breathe easy knowing that while this may be an inconvenience, the risk to health is low. Keep an eye out for more recall updates as the year progresses.

Source: People – FDA Issues Recall for Coffee Grounds in 15 States

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Starbucks is offering a rare treat on Monday: a free cup of coffee.

The giveaway comes as part of CEO Brian Niccol’s broader efforts to revamp the brand while cutting back on frequent deals and promotions. But with the nation likely feeling groggy after Super Bowl Sunday, Starbucks is making an exception.

How to Get Your Free Coffee

On Monday, February 12, members of the Starbucks Rewards program can claim one free tall-sized (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee by activating a coupon in the Starbucks app. The coupon can be redeemed in-store or through the app on the same day.

Starbucks’ Big Changes Under CEO Brian Niccol

This promotion is part of a larger transformation at Starbucks, which will be highlighted in new commercials airing before and after the Super Bowl on Fox.

• A New Advertising Campaign:
  • A 60-second commercial will showcase Starbucks baristas opening stores and writing on cups, with a voiceover saying, “The Starbucks you love is back… hello again.”
  • A 15-second ad will directly promote Monday’s free coffee offer.
• Bringing Back a Personal Touch:
  Starbucks has recently asked baristas to write personalized messages on cups—such as affirmations, well wishes, or simply “hello again”. While intended to create stronger customer connections, some employees have voiced concerns that it slows down service.
• Enhancing the In-Store Experience:
  Other updates include:
  Bringing back condiment bars for customer convenience
  Offering free refills on select drinks for those enjoying their coffee in-store
  Rebranding as “Starbucks Coffee Company” to emphasize its coffee heritage

More Changes on the Horizon

Looking ahead, Niccol is planning to streamline Starbucks’ menu by cutting 30% of its offerings. The goal? Faster service, shorter wait times, and a better customer experience.

For now, Starbucks fans can enjoy a free coffee this Monday—no strings attached.

Source

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For decades, coffee was associated with increased health risks. However, research over the past ten years suggests that drinking coffee may actually offer health benefits.

Changing Perceptions About Coffee

Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance, and coffee, a natural source of caffeine, has been a staple in human diets for centuries. Historically, coffee was viewed negatively, with studies from the 1980s and 1990s linking it to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. According to Marc Gunter, a professor of cancer epidemiology at Imperial College London, “Research has evolved, and we now have data from hundreds of thousands of coffee drinkers.”

Coffee and Cancer Risk

Concerns about coffee causing cancer stem from its acrylamide content—a carcinogen also found in toast and chips. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded in 2016 that coffee is not carcinogenic unless consumed at extremely high temperatures (above 65°C or 149°F). A 2023 review supported this conclusion, finding no strong evidence linking acrylamide in coffee to cancer risk.

Potential Health Benefits of Coffee

Recent studies highlight coffee’s potential protective effects. For example, research by Gunter in 2017 examined the coffee-drinking habits of 500,000 Europeans over 16 years. Findings revealed that higher coffee consumption correlated with a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Similar results have been observed in the US and UK.

Interestingly, coffee’s benefits appear to transcend caffeine. Studies show that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee contain antioxidants and are associated with lower disease rates.

Understanding the Evidence

While observational studies suggest significant health benefits, they cannot prove cause and effect. As Peter Rogers, a researcher at the University of Bristol, points out, coffee drinkers might naturally have better health profiles despite less healthy lifestyles. Population studies cannot fully isolate coffee’s effects from other variables.

Coffee and Pregnancy

Advice around coffee consumption during pregnancy remains mixed. A 2022 review linked coffee to an increased risk of miscarriage, but researchers noted confounding factors like smoking. The Food Standards Agency recommends limiting coffee to one to two cups daily during pregnancy, while some experts suggest avoiding it entirely. Economist Emily Oster emphasizes the lack of randomized data to draw definitive conclusions.

Caffeine’s Cognitive Effects

Caffeine, a psychoactive drug, affects the brain and nervous system. While regular coffee drinkers may no longer experience a cognitive boost due to tolerance, non-regular drinkers can use caffeine to enhance focus. Dependency is common but mild, with withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and headaches typically lasting a few days.

Brewing and Health

Does the brewing method matter? Research indicates that health benefits are consistent across coffee types. However, ground coffee’s bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, might confer stronger benefits compared to instant or decaf varieties.

A 2021 study linked all coffee types to reduced chronic liver disease risk, and a 2022 study found that decaf coffee was associated with the strongest reduction in cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption—up to four cups per day—is unlikely to harm health and may even offer protective benefits. “If anything, it’s the opposite,” says Gunter. As with anything, moderation is key.

Source

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