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.
Gabz, when you get here can you please put me on your nanny state ping list?
I detest these busy-body control freaks.
Have these "people" ever heard of FREEDOM?
I have no love for Starbucks, but I hate busybodies who are bent on stopping everyone else from having fun! :-)
Crud, I just had one of those banana crunch bars. It sucked. And it had a gazillion calories. Great.
and that's the point, you didn't know what was in it. if it had been posted that it had that many calories and 25g of fat, would you have bought it?
As long as their at it, go after Ben & Jerry's. Fat Fat Fat.
>>IT'S CALLED FREEDOM OF CHOICE!
Freedom of Choice
A victim of collision on the open sea
Nobody ever said that life was free
Sank, swam, go down with the ship
But use your freedom of choice
I’ll say it again in the land of the free
Use your freedom of choice
Your freedom of choice
In ancient rome there was a poem
About a dog who found two bones
He picked at one
He licked the other
He went in circles
He dropped dead
Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom of choice!
Then if you got it you don’t want it
Seems to be the rule of thumb
Don’t be tricked by what you see
You got two ways to go
I’ll say it again in the land of the free
Use your freedom of choice
Freedom of choice
Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom of choice!
In ancient rome
There was a poem
About a dog
Who found two bones
He picked at one
He licked the other
He went in circles
He dropped dead
Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom from choice
Is what you want
Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom from choice
Is what you want
Freedom of choice
Is what you got
Freedom from choice
Is what you want
This is the workers union of the employees of Starbucks. Sort of like Starbucks is providing an unhealthy work environment!
I MUST HAVE MY MOCHA FRAPPACHINO
Please stop trying to protect me from myself if I want a darn hamburger let me if i want a bannana mocha with extra whip let me IF PEOPLE HAD SELF CONTROL for godsake I cant even order a hamburger at my job because the food police have ex out all foods this is really out of control
This is dangerous "junk science". Every diabetic knows its the breading and the buns killing people ~ NOT THE FAT!
The Center for Science in the Public Interest
OTOH, starbucks probably deserves it considering their support of those that support the Nanny State.
NANNY STATE PING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why I believe the answer to that is...yes there is.
' ths issue is, how are you supposed to know if its not disclosed."
Over by the cream and sugar, are brochures " You, Starbucks and Nutrition " listing the nutritional contents of all their beverages and foods.
They break it down into size and options- fat free, soy, whipped cream or none, etc.
Plus, it's also available on their website.
BULLCRAP.............the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds them.......and they tow the line that RWJF tells them to...........anti hospitality industry - PERIOD.
And BTW - they are also anti 2nd Amendment.
And they both are very good!
I'll spend my money on what I like as long as I am capable and enjoy it without others opinions as to what I like or can tolerate safely.
Michael, let me explain something to you. Most of us already kind of knew a lot of this stuff is unhealthy and we like it anyway. Bugger off.
You're on the list as of now...........
I totally DESPISE busy bodies!!!!!!
I am just not a starbucks kind of guy.
I agree with you that he and his kind need to bugger off - but they won't..........they truly believe they know better than the rest of us.
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