Starbucks Maggot Scandal Erupts

Starbucks counter in busy airport shopping area — DISGUSTING STARBUCKS SCANDAL

Maggots infested a Starbucks milk dispenser during a live executive demo, yet the company allegedly fired the VP who raised the alarm.

Story Snapshot

Former Starbucks VP Janice Waszak sues for wrongful termination after reporting maggots in the Siren System milk dispenser and a subsequent fire.
Siren System, hyped to investors as a productivity game-changer, suffered grotesque failures, including insect breeding due to design flaws.
Starbucks denies claims, citing a conduct investigation, while Waszak alleges retaliation and sex discrimination.
Two other executives lost jobs after questioning Siren projections, suggesting a pattern of silencing dissent.

Siren System’s Shocking Failures

On October 27, 2022, maggots dropped from the Siren System’s milk dispenser during a live demonstration at Starbucks’ Tryer Innovation Center in Seattle. Baristas flicked the insects away as executives watched.

The Siren System, a proprietary equipment line launched in 2022, promised to craft drinks in 40 seconds to boost efficiency and profits amid post-pandemic recovery. Janice Waszak, VP of Partner and Customer Solutions, oversaw testing since April 2022. This incident exposed fundamental design flaws preventing proper cleaning.

Um, this new lawsuit against Starbucks may make your skin crawl. We’re pouring through the claims of wrongful termination and maggots in the equipment, plus how the company is responding. Watch KIRO 7 News, 5-6:30pm. pic.twitter.com/WP20L3tEfA

— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) January 27, 2026

Escalating Safety Hazards and Internal Pushback

By August 2023, Waszak received reports of poor in-store test results and persistent cleaning issues from her testing team. On September 7, 2023, the Siren milk dispenser ignited in a fire caused by faulty wiring at the Tryer Center, even as the system operated in Seattle test stores.

Waszak escalated concerns to superiors, including her boss Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, who had pitched Siren to executives in March 2022. Two senior executives who challenged his financial projections were terminated by June 2022; Venkatakrishnan allegedly bragged about it to Waszak.

Lawsuit Alleges Retaliation and Discrimination

Waszak filed her lawsuit in Seattle court on a recent Monday, claiming wrongful termination, retaliation for whistleblowing on safety risks, and sex discrimination. She alleges unequal treatment for interpersonal conduct compared to male colleagues and pressure to falsify reports.

Starbucks responded that safety remains their top priority, the claims lack merit, and Waszak was separated after an investigation uncovered conduct violations. The company anticipates presenting evidence in court. Waszak’s suit asserts the internal probe found no termination grounds.

Corporate Accountability in Question

This case highlights risks when corporations prioritize hyped innovations over basic safety, potentially endangering baristas and customers who expect clean food service. Waszak, reporting to Venkatakrishnan since 2018, now seeks reinstatement and damages.

Short-term fallout includes legal costs and PR damage for Starbucks during sales recovery efforts. Long-term, a victory for Waszak could strengthen whistleblower protections in product safety testing across the foodservice industry.

Stakeholders and Broader Ramifications

Starbucks faces scrutiny as the corporate giant defending against an individual plaintiff’s claims of hierarchical abuse. Venkatakrishnan emerges as a central figure in alleged suppression of dissent. Affected parties spanned Waszak’s career, store staff exposed to hazards, and customers at risk from tainted equipment.

Economic ripples may hit Starbucks stock, noted at $91.73 with a slight dip, if Siren proves unviable. The suit underscores tensions between innovation promises and real-world execution, eroding trust in big business practices.