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.
I'm buying stock. Stand firm, Starbucks.
"And they give them FREE pastries." Big WAAAAAHHHHH.
Try the new kids' book, "Rash" , by Pete Hautman.
The slimey lib trial lawyers going after one of their own - STARBUCKS. I guess it can happen.
I'm waiting for the instructions and warning labels are put on toilet paper.
CAUTION!!!
EXCESSIVE USE OF THIS ASS-WIPE CAN CAUSE SORE SPHINCTERS.
On the other hand, non-chain yuppie restaurants and overpriced coffee houses around here, whenever they advertise for help, mention in their ads 'employee discounts'. Never patronize a restaurant that doesn't feed its employees for free!
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Yes, and if the brochures and web site were not available, there is still freedom of choice in that consumers can go somewhere else. Starbucks knows this and makes the brochures available w/o the need for government coercion.
LOL!!!
Gee. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm 56 years old and weigh the same as I did 40 years ago. Cholesterol and BP normal.
It must be the egss, bacon, steak, potatoes and gravy, lobster w/ butter and other eeevil foods that are killing me.
Now where are those eating instructions, diets, content, and warning labels.
(remember, Diet Coke makes you fat; just ask a fat person).
Starbucks won't be touched. Too many Libs love their burnt overpriced coffee.
Bingo! I'm surprised there's no instructional DVD on buckling a seatbelt. No wait. The FAA requires that already.
If I want a Banana Split. I dont give a damn.
I know its fattening, its also delicious, and when i splurge I dont give a damn.
I have to hand it to the NYT for actually suggesting it has more to do with lobbies being a bad seller than anything else.
But to slap a pious facade on a simple business decision, as if customers are stupid enough to buy into it, speaks of a form of insanity on the part of management. Or perhaps they know their customers too well.
If someone isn't bright enough to know these foo-foo drinks are high in fat and calories just like the high fat Big Mac, then maybe an education is in order.
Once you've had a Starbucks, other coffee seems weak and watered down. Starbucks treats its employees well and pays its coffee growers fair prices. What's the problem with that?
I was doing pretty good, trying to ignore the urge to splurge, but someone just HAD to mention high-fat products, banana mocha, banana cream, and crunch bar, all in ONE sentence! Sensory overload!
Now I'm gonna have to put on a shirt and shoes, waddle my fat-A down to the corner 'seben-de-lebben', and get a pint of "Chunky Monkey" banana ice cream (the chocolate syrup is already in the fridge).
(I know, I know, Ben & Jerry are pinko-commie moonbats, but I fell off the boycott wagon after a year of denying myself)
Now where'd I put my Zocor prescription?
No alcohol???
How's it going phantom?? :o)
ROFL!!! Starbuck employees complain they are gaining weight from the free food. Is there something wrong with this picture?
It looks like it is the non-chain yuppie overpriced coffee houses that are demeaning their employees and raping the coffee suppliers that is the real problem.
Hey, Millee!!! What are you doing slumming over here? ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.