Let 'em go eat their unbuttered, unsalted popcorn.
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.
Let 'em go eat their unbuttered, unsalted popcorn.
NGO grants
I've had three times that Starbucks coffee was lousy
The rest of the time so-so
Dunkin Donuts has some good ground coffees to brew at home
Trying to think of the one I like = Hazelnut
Better was a store that had all types of coffee beans -
Best was a coffee wholesaler in Little Italy -
I'd like to hook 'em up to an intravenous Geno's cheesesteak machine.
Our Starbucks is just beginning to be built! I doubt I'll spend $4.00 on a cup of coffee though.
Wish we had a Crispy Cream Donut shop, but I'm better off without one!
Sending 'em this special delivery.
FReepmail me a Geno's cheesesteak Liz!
I'll go along with that!!!!!!
Crispy Creme
You just had to mention those -
I'd like to see 'em analyze this.
Thanks for the ping!
Sounds good, nobody has a shop for something like that here. You are not familiar with Schlotskys, which I love.
You're not making me hungry...
Do you have one? I went to one in Houston when visiting my Mother.
This thread probably is making every one hungry - for things we do not need!
About anything you can imagine here
Starbucks all over the place - in the public library - in Target - on corners
Dunkin Donuts busy up on the hill
Local brewery & food place here that is unreal
We am cosmo-politan
I support people's right to choose, but they better not mad when they deservedly get labeled as a fatty.
"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."
Probably hard getting up that hill for fear you will start rolling back down, snicker...
Why buy those fru-fru drinks, anyway? Just get a regular coffee. It's cheaper, has more caffeine, fewer calories, and more antioxidants, anyway.
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