The company stated that the new conversion would establish reduced fat milk, also known as 2 percent milk, as the standard dairy in all beverages served in its North American coffeehouses.

The coffee chain is also thinking about converting to lower-fat milk in markets outside North America

Starbucks tested 2 percent milk in four North American markets earlier this year based on growing customer requests for reduced fat milk and increased purchases of lower fat milk in U.S. consumers' homes.

New York City will be the first market to make the switch on Tuesday. The four test markets of Jacksonville, Fla.; Orange County, Calif.; the state of Oregon; and London, Ontario, will also officially go reduced-fat.

A 16-ounce "grande" latte made with reduced fat milk has 190 calories, compared with 260 calories in one made with whole milk.

The coffee retailer said customers can continue to request whole, skim or soy milk in drinks. Organic milk is also offered in the U.S.

The company also is working to ensure that by the end of the year all of the milk it provides at U.S. stores will be produced without recombinant bovine growth hormone, or rBGH.