Posted on 06/16/2006 6:41:22 PM PDT by Liz
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp. may be next on the target list of a consumer-health group that this week sued the operator of the KFC fried chicken restaurant chain for frying foods in oils high in harmful trans fat.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest said it is planning to campaign against the global cafe chain because of the increased risk of obesity, heart disease and cancer associated with high-calorie, high-fat products it sells. And the possibility of legal action against Starbucks, similar to the case it is taking against KFC owner Yum Brands Inc., has not been ruled out, said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. "Regular consumers of Starbucks products could face Venti-sized health problems," Jacobson said, referring to Starbucks' use of the 'Venti' designation for 'large.'
The group is primarily funded by newsletter subscribers and individual donors. It has support in the campaign from the small IWW Starbucks Workers Union, which has members in three stores, all in New York. They would like Starbucks to list nutrition information -- which is currently available online and in store brochures -- on its menu boards. "Customers can ask for nutrition information, but when you're talking about a transparent business in a busy world, that's not enough," union organizer and Starbucks "barista" staff member Daniel Gross said in an interview. He said the company should use healthier shortenings without trans fat, and publicize its smallest size, "short," which is available but does not appear on the menu. Continued...
The union contends that Starbucks staff gain weight when they work at the chain. They are offered unlimited beverages and leftover pastries for free during their shifts.
A 20-ounce Venti banana mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream contains 720 calories and 11 grams of saturated fat, and a banana cream crunch bar weighs in at 630 calories and 25 grams of saturated fat. By comparison, a McDonald's Corp. Big Mac has 560 calories and 11 grams of saturated fat.
A Starbucks spokesman said in a statement it is "actively researching" alternatives to high-fat products. The company said it plans to eliminate trans fat from
seasonal baked goods -- but not necessarily other products -- by this fall. "In our beverage ingredients, we have reformulated any component that contained significant artificial trans fat content," the spokesman said. Wendy's International Inc. and Panera Bread Co. have recently announced efforts to reduce or eliminate trans fats from their menus. Trans fat is an artery-clogging solid fat found in partially hydrogenated oils.
"Most people are taking the trans fat out of their foods because they raise the risk of heart disease and obesity," said Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition at NYU.
"There's a lot of pressure to do so, especially since the (KFC) lawsuit." Jacobson said Starbucks may have been spared the scrutiny fast-food chains received recently because of its health-conscious image. "People expect foods from Dunkin' Donuts to be unhealthy, but Starbucks has more of an upper middle class, healthy, hip, politically correct facade," Jacobson said. "But the food is just as harmful to your arteries." © Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
ROFL!! "Sugar hangover." Time for a Starbucks chaser.
I gained a pound yesterday just watching my granddaughter drink a carmel frappachino with whipped cream on top. It looked GOOD!
Speaking of caramel---Hershey's puts out a limited edition dulce de leche
caramel syrup that's to die for---- drizzle it in your regular coffee for a real treat.
Whatjado? Make a "Blizzard" with the chunky monkey?
Couldn't happen to a better lefty Seattle-based company. Too have lefty control-freaks attacking Starbucks is delicious irony.
I hate to burst your little dream bubble, but bottled European water is being attributed to that newly-sprouted gross skin condition everyone is talking about.
I sometimes wonder how often restaurants clean out those beverage dispensers and what bacteria could lurk there.
I hate it when people tell me to get in shape I am in shape and yes round is a shape.
Now very HUNGRY!
Fat makes food taste great. If they take out the fat, I won't buy their products. If I don't want fat, I'll buy weight watcher food.
Now I have to get ready to go for my 2 mile walk before my hour long exercise class. :)
Slurp-----makes you wanna chomp through the monitor.
Bragger----LOL.
You got a point there. A while ago people were getting really sick from tea dispensers because the luke warm temp in the dispenser was perfect for bacteria to grow. I have a hard time drinking ice tea at restaurants anymore because of that.
Starbucks! You will never find a more wretched hive of overpriced beverages.
I've never been to a Starbucks before, but there's one across the street from my bank... I may just check it out, and get one of those things... But first, I think that I'll get a Hardees Monster Thickburger...
Series-ly, these groups are a bunch of busybodies who are looking for big payoffs from deep pockets. I'm so sick of them!
Mark
Brought to you by the Worry Monger Coalition.
I've worked in a lot of restaurants over the years (at least 7), though not since about 1984, and with the exception of Pizza Hut, not one ever gave the employees free food.
Mark
Salivating yet?
As if I don't know that banana creme frappes are high in calories? ;)
I also have to chuckle at the fresh fruit nuts---although I do love fresh fruit---but I wash it very well before consuming.
Awhile back, people were getting deathly ill from fresh fruit---they traced it to Chilean fresh fruit---seems the fruit pickers were urinating and defecating in the fields, and were contaminating the fruit.
And with the controversy over amnesty, I sometimes wonder what goes on with the lettuce and other veggies and fruits illegals are picking for American markets.
I also have to chuckle at the fresh fruit nuts---although I do love fresh fruit---but I wash it very well before consuming.
Awhile back, people were getting deathly ill from fresh fruit---they traced it to Chilean fresh fruit---seems the fruit pickers were urinating and defecating in the fields, and were contaminating the fruit.
And with the controversy over amnesty, I sometimes wonder what goes on with the lettuce and other veggies and fruits illegals are picking for American markets.
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