‘Center for Science in the Public Intrest’ can kiss my ass.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Starbucks may be next on the target list of aconsumer-health group that this week sued the operator of the KFC friedchicken restaurant chain for frying foods in oils high in harmful transfat.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest said it is planning tocampaign against the global cafe chain because of the increased risk ofobesity, heart disease and cancer associated with high-calorie,high-fat products it sells.

And the possibility of legal action against Starbucks (Charts), similar to the case it is taking against KFC owner Yum Brands (Charts), has not been ruled out, said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson.

“Regular consumers of Starbucks products could face Venti-sized healthproblems,” Jacobson said, referring to Starbucks’ use of the ‘Venti’designation for ‘large.’

The group is primarily funded by newsletter subscribers and individualdonors. It has support in the campaign from the small IWW StarbucksWorkers Union, which has members in three stores, all in New York.

They would like Starbucks to list nutrition information – which iscurrently available online and in store brochures – on its menu boards.

“Customers can ask for nutrition information, but when you’re talkingabout a transparent business in a busy world, that’s not enough,” unionorganizer and Starbucks “barista” staff member Daniel Gross said in aninterview.

He said the company should use healthier shortenings without trans fat,and publicize its smallest size, “short,” which is available but doesnot appear on the menu.

The union contends that Starbucks staff gain weight when they work atthe chain. They are offered unlimited beverages and leftover pastriesfor free during their shifts.

A 20-ounce Venti banana mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream contains720 calories and 11 grams of saturated fat, and a banana cream crunchbar weighs in at 630 calories and 25 grams of saturated fat. Bycomparison, a McDonald’s (Charts) 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 toeliminate trans fat from seasonal baked goods — but not necessarilyother products — by this fall.

“In our beverage ingredients, we have reformulated any component thatcontained significant artificial trans fat content,” the spokesman said.

Wendy’s (Charts) and Panera Bread (Charts)have recently announced efforts to reduce or eliminate trans fats fromtheir menus. Trans fat is an artery-clogging solid fat found inpartially hydrogenated oils.

“Most people are taking the trans fat out of their foods because theyraise the risk of heart disease and obesity,” said Marion Nestle,professor of nutrition at New York University. “There’s a lot ofpressure to do so, especially since the (KFC) lawsuit.”

Jacobson said Starbucks may have been spared the scrutiny fast-foodchains received recently because of its health-conscious image.

“People expect foods from Dunkin’ Donuts to be unhealthy, but Starbuckshas more of an upper middle class, healthy, hip, politically correctfacade,” Jacobson said. “But the food is just as harmful to yourarteries.”

There is no reason to publish this kind of information.  No One forces you to buy/go to Starbucks.  Shut the hell up I don’t want to hear my co-=workers talking about it.  It is a stupid story, walk, run, or get fat.  But don’t be thinking about suing Starbucks.

Take that bitches.  http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?food=7