Starbucks the next target in fatty-food debate

[JI7]

<A consumer health group that is suing KFC for frying up its chicken in harmful trans-fat-laden oil may soon be taking action against the Starbucks coffee chain.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says the high-fat and high-calorie foods that Starbucks sells can lead to heart disease, obesity and cancer.

CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson says regular customers could face 'Venti-sized health problems', referring to the Starbucks designation for 'large.'

Jacobson said that Starbucks may have avoided scrutiny that fast-food chains have received until now because of its "upper middle class, healthy, hip, politically correct facade."

"But the food is just as harmful to your arteries."

For example, a 20-ounce Venti banana mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream contains 720 calories and 11 grams of saturated fat. That is more than a Big Mac from McDonald's, which has 560 calories and 11 grams of saturated fat.

As well, a 400-calorie cinnamon sugar cake donut contains six grams of artery-clogging trans fat, which doctors say everyone should try and eliminate from their diet as much as possible.>


http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060619/starbucks_fat_food_060619/20060619?hub=CTVNewsAt11

[niyad]

1. hmmm, is anybody FORCING anyone to partake?

[maddogesq]

2. Does a soy or 2 percent latte hurt the ticker?

Yeah, OK, I am sure too much coffee is not OK, but this one is hard to get. I rarely see anyone buy the food they sell...least not me, except maybe twice a year.

I like Carribou better, and some of the small indy coffee places are great too. Starbucks has faults, but this is a bit over the top, and just diverts us all from the real issues facing us right now.

[JI7]

6. i have a couple of times

got a sandwich once that i didn't really like. threw away half of it. got cupcake or cake or some other thing once which i didn't like much either.

but like you i don't think i have seen people buy the food that much. but i don't go to starbucks much anyways. not a big coffee drinker and when i do go i mostly get some non coffee drink.

[Terran1212]

4. The fast food chains are massive social actors

Their food is so obquitious that it is a part of the American psyche. If millions go to these restaurants and are going to go for one reason or another, then why NOT pressure them to make their food healthier? It's not like consumers will reject good-tasting food that DOESN'T kill you.

It's just good sociology to do something about the fast food industry.

[jjrjsa]

47. Don't bring facts into this debate...

Only "THE FREEDOM TO BUY WHAT I WANT" seems to count, what about the government taking care of society? To me, that's what being a progressive is all about.

[whatwasthequestion]

3. Aaaahhhhhhahahhahahah

Leave me alone!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll choose what I want and pay the damn price!!!!!!!!Thank you.
I could not help myself. Thought police and nannies. I will take care of myself.

[XemaSab]

12. Good point

Everything in moderation.

[Charlie Brown]

5. People with too much time on their hands

Get a damn life, Mr. Jacobson, and leave Starbucks and the rest of us alone.

"The group wants Starbucks to put its nutritional information on menu boards. The info is already available online, but CSPI says that's not good enough because many customers won't check the Internet before going to the high-end coffee shop."

I guess nothing is ever "good enough" for some of these crusaders.

[Terran1212]

7. It will help at least thousands of people live happier lives

If the major fast food chains can be pursuaded to make their addictive food healthier.

That's not something to "get a damn life about"; that's pretty good stuff, actually.

[kutastha]

35. I agree

not necessarily because Starbucks is being taken to task, but I'd bet many people who order such an atrocity don't know exactly how bad it is for them. It's sold more as a "coffee beverage" than a dessert, which is precisely what it is.

[Starlight]

10. I'm a long time customer & I'd love to have nutrition info available on

the menu board or at least in the store. Some store have brochures with info in them, but not all. I do look it up online but it's inconvenient and most pastry items aren't shown online.

[Charlie Brown]

13. and that's more important than Iraq or winning the '06 elections?

We'll be subjects of the police-state and war machine, but at least we won't be burdened with a double-mocha at Starbucks.

Sheesh.

[Starlight]

15. You need to learn to multi task.

[Charlie Brown]

18. My original reaction was probably knee-jerk

I guess I should be glad there are consumer groups who pressure mega/corps to put out a better, safer food product.

I go to Starbucks, but I don't drink their "candy" drinks. I just drink coffee w/espresso, which probably raises my blood pressure.

Having the nutrion grid posted at stores is probably a good idea, overall. But it's not a problem that keeps me awake at night (although the coffee does).

[whatwasthequestion]

46. Thank you

All together, now, everyone focus on what is important. Priotirize...prioritse...prior...prio...ah, damn it...first things, first.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

23. FYI, if you ask a barista for the nutritional info on something...

they have to give it to you (corporate policy). We have it in our manuals behind the counter. I used to work for starbucks.

[MadHound]

30. Yeah, but what part of

"20-ounce Venti banana mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream" doesn't simply scream that it is not that good for you? Does every single restraunt need to have their nutritional contents posted on the wall, visible as soon as you enter? Most people have a pretty good idea that a Caeser salad with low fact dressing is much healthier than anything with whipped cream. And you know what, even if you posted this information in 24 pt type, people would still purchase and consume the food anyway.

All this type of nannyism does is make the cost of business go up(which is reflected in the price we pay), and frankly insult the intelligence of the customer. I agree that issues such as food allergies need to be addressed, and it is helpful to know what oil is being used. But if I'm buying food from KFC, I know it's a heart stopper, I don't need a menu board to tell me that.

What would serve the slimming down of America better than posting ingredient lists is for all restraunts to shrink their portion size. I find it ridiculous that I, as a 6'5" male with a good appetite, cannot finish the portions that are given me. Scarier still though is that I see people who do finish these portions every single day. I remember when the Quarter Pounder first came out, we thought it was monstrous. Now it looks positively puny when put up against the Triple Meat, Triple Cheese, Triple Bacon monsters coming out of Hardees and their competitors. Most people subconciously feel the need to clean their plate, and will do so no matter what. Why not stop stretching their stomachs and simply make the portion sizes smaller:shrug:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

21. I worked for Starbucks.

We also have books in the back with all of the nutritional info. If any customer asked us about nutritional info, we were required to tell them. A couple people asked; it didn't seem to affect what they ordered. Most people didn't ask. Anyway, don't they have phamplets now with the info on the milk bar?

[Fridays Child]

8. Hah! I keep telling my husband that his White Chocolate Mocha Venti...

...is just a great big cup of hot, liquid candy. I'm going to print out this article for him.

[Starlight]

14. Here's the nutrition info:

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverages.asp

[Fridays Child]

16. Geez Louise! That's really bad!

Thanks for the link. :)

[Starlight]

17. I'm on Weight Watchers so I've used that table a lot.

The new banana coconut frappuccino is pretty good in low fat/no whip. :9

[FreeState]

44. Been on WW for two years:) LOVE it:) n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

24. But at least I don't have to worry about calcium deficiency

some of those drinks, decaf w/milk get me some moo in my diet.

[BuddhaGirl]

33. the "moo" probably has bovine growth hormone and

hormones in it, though!

[Skittles]

20. it has 56 grams of sugar?

that makes it more than a candy bar, for sure

[cannabis_flower]

40. I believe ..

that they can be made with artificial sweetner, can't they? Starbucks guy, is that possible?

I like to go to the Bubble Tea places (not a coffee drinker), and I have them make my Peppermint Green Tea with tapioca with Splenda.

[bluestateguy]

9. The Nanny State Food Police

We don't have time for this. This nation is at war.

[Dulcinea]

59. Hear, hear!

They won't do anything about immigration, poverty, health care, education or getting the troops out of Iraq, but they WILL tell you what you can & can't put in your body!

Whatever happened to freedom of choice? This is America, people!

It started with smoking. Fatty foods, caffeine, & sugar are next.

They have to look like they're doing SOMETHING, right? :shrug:

[kestrel91316]

11. I know damned well their maple oat nut scones are NOT low-fat, and

I don't care. When I want one, I'll have one.

[Skittles]

19. it's why I exercise an hour daily

so I can indulge in these delicacies! :D

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

22. The government has bigger threats to worry about than Starbucks.

If someone wants to drink a 700 calorie coffee everyday, then that's their choice and they should accept the health consequences. Personally, I go in there and order either a...

Iced Grande Americano
or...
Triple Grande Organic Cappucino

Both are pretty damn healthy. I also like their raspberry scones, but my diet overall is healthy enough where I can deal with some junk. If someone wants to have a disgusting diet, then that's their choice. If we're going to regulate food, how about we stop lessening the requirements for organic certification and get rid of HFCS? That is where the effort should be focused on.

[HuffleClaw]

25. what utter bullshit

this american obsession with blaming someone else for people's own choices is a disgrace. if someone CHOOSES to eat crappy food they must suffer the consequences. this reminds me of how when some kid climbs a fence and drowns in a pool its always the pool owner who gets sued, and the fence company. or how if some kid commits suicide its somehow marilyn manson's fault. the real problem here is the abrogation of responsibility combined with the perception that a lawsuit is some sort of get rich quick lottery.

[B3Nut]

29. "We came home and found our son

dead on his bed of a gunshot wound. He had his headphones on and there was an Ozzy record on the turntable. So we called our lawyer." - voice of the parent from the intro of "Triumph Of The Swill" by the Dead Kennedys

Jello had it nailed back in 1984.

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Telly Savalas]

43. This is a report by a Canadian organization.

They're a private organization trying to raise awareness about health issues. I don't see why everyone equates this with nanny-statedom, nor do I remember there being this reaction to the movie "Super Size Me" where Morgan Spurlock was trying to do exactly the same thing these folks are.

Edit: My bad, I saw the red maple leaf on their page, but that's just a link to the Canadian branch of the CPSI.

[Charlie Brown]

45. The lawsuits CSPI file make it a gov't issue

I think that's where "nanny-statedom" comes into play, whereas CSPI could pressure the food-chains privately, either through boycotts or petitions.

They may have a valid case that Starbucks and other chains have an obligation to inform consumers about the risks of consuming the product. However, it's the government they are turning to in order to enforce this, and not private consumer action like producing a movie.

[lindisfarne]

26. All of the drinks which have added sugar or whipped cream are going

to be bad for you, especially when you're drinking 20 ounces. It doesn't matter which coffee place it's from.

Even a 12 ounce ("tall" - the smallest one Starbucks makes) latte made with whole milk has a lot of fat and cholesterol (11 ounces of whole milk is about 220 calories, if 8 ounces is 160, as my milk carton says.) But nothing tastes better than a latte made with whole milk; anything less tastes sour to me so I splurge on the lattes.

People don't realize how quickly the calories add up. Throw in some chocolate syrup and whipped cream and you've added 150 calories and lots of fat.

[moez]

27. This just in -

Center for Science in the Public Interest to surgically install leg bindings so people can no longer run with pencils and other sharp objects.....

more as this develops.

[AngryAmish]

28. First they came for the smokers....

[Enthusiast]

49. Exactly

Middle American voters are sick to death of these food police type crusades. Democrats should seek to gain credibility with these voters instead of constantly harping on these non issues.

[ChazII]

62. Ain't that the truth

:hide:

[RCinBrooklyn]

31. At some point in the future, Americans will live like veal calves.

[Megahurtz]

64. ROFL!!!

:rofl:

[Hekate]

66. What I've been sayin'--just one gigantic feedlot out here. eom

[jmowreader]

32. CSPI has always been a pain in the ass

This guy right here...



and Michael Jacobson would get along just fine.

The man pictured above is Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, famous of the Battle Creek Sanitarium and The Road to Wellville. The movie was funny but the book it was made from was more true to the actual man...who was, by all accounts, crazier than a shithouse rat. This fucking guy told a high-level Seventh Day Adventist that John Harvey Kellogg was greater than God because Kellogg had bowels and God did not.

CSPI and the Battle Creek Sanitarium run on similar principles: everything you like is bad.

I click on every one of these damn threads, and every time I see that we're dealing with a CSPI initiative I think "oh god, not this shit again." Name the food--any food--and CSPI can find something wrong with it.

[lynne]

34. No Venti Banana Mocha Frappuccino for YOU !

The Starbuck's Nazi has reared its ugly head.

[Jed Dilligan]

36. I'm glad

Not that I particularly care for these weird lawsuits, but at least this will signal to people that Starbucks is as downscale as Burger King, and that if you want to spend that kind of money on coffee go to a local place and get some REAL coffee.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

52. Actually, Starbucks does a lot for the community

I don't see Burger King doing that. The Starbucks by me hosts parties for the kids at the local orphanage (which I used to help at when I worked there), does river clean-ups in town, toy drives, etc. They also offer good benefits to employees working more than 20 hours a week.

[Jed Dilligan]

55. All companies do charity,

But the benefits thing is good.

My main point is that Starbucks quality is crap. Their coffee smells like burnt armpit hair to me.

[DBoon]

37. Coffee is meant to be drunk like a fine scotch

straight, with no mixers

[ComerPerro]

38. Starbucks should be the FIRST target in the "your coffee sucks" debate

[DBoon]

39. I think they have a good point

people are responsible for what they eat, however the fat, sugar and overall calorie content of these drinks is not widely known. Because of Starbuck's reputation, a lot of people who wouldn't think of eating frencg fries would gulp down one of these calorie bombs without hesitation.

This is for general information - sometimes food items that don't look so terrible really do have huge calorie contents. These folks are perfoming a public service by publicizing this

[Odin2005]

41. The nanny-staters need to go away.

[dbackjon]

42. Wow

I never would have guess that a mocha frappachino with whipped cream would be so fattening - damn Starbucks for selling it as a diet drink.......


<heavy sarcasm>

[gauguin57]

48. May I have a tall white chocolate mocha, skim milk, no whipped creme?

Yeah, it's got lotsa sugar, but I don't drink it every day.

Starbucks plays good music to read the paper by. They have comfy chairs. The place smells good. The baristas/baristos are usually friendly and efficient. And in some Starbucks, they call you by name to come get your coffee.

And those white chocolate mochas are yummy. I just figure them into my Weight Watchers Points@ on the occasional day I have a cup, and I'm fine as frog's fur.

[MelliMel]

50. Is anyone capable of taking care of themselves anymore?????

Or do we all need mommy and daddy government to save us? If you want to clog your arteries with tons of fat, be my guest. Unless you live under a rock, you know that moderation is the key.

[depakid]

51. People who spread the "nanny state" meme

remind me of spoiled children.

Someone tries to make a difference to improve the public health- like the Center for Science in the Public Interest- and the knee jerk immaturity shows up here every time.

The fact is that pressure from groups like these gets results:

"The group wants Starbucks to put its nutritional information on menu boards. The info is already available online, but CSPI says that's not good enough because many customers won't check the Internet before going to the high-end coffee shop.

A Starbucks spokesperson is quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying the company plans to eliminate trans fat from seasonal baked goods by this fall. It's not clear when or if it would be eliminated from all their products...."

Now what's to argue with about that?

Nothing that I can see- just lazy people who don't bother to read the article or look up their own facts.

[tammywammy]

53. But the info is already available in the store

You just ask a barista and they have it all in a neat little binder right there to tell you.

I worked there for 3 years, if someone asked, we'd tell them.

And isn't it just common sense, if it comes with whipped cream, it's not low-fat.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

56. And it's pretty easy to say "no whip." nt

[jjrjsa]

54. Nanny state...

I hate it when people use this phrase, and usually people who use it are right-wingers. What's a nanny state? A state that takes care of the people? A state that values good results over the freedom to fuck up? I'll take that over a state that gives us all the "Freedom to kill ourselves".

I am all for freedom, but what real pragmatic good does it do to give people the freedom to eat food that is bad for them? Sure, in principle it sounds good if you're some sort of libertarian (I'm not) but really, is there any benefit?

[tammywammy]

60. "Is there any benefit?"

Yes, to me there is. I enjoy a nice and fatty breve cappuccino once in a while or a slice of cake.

I know what's healthy for me to eat, and I know that a cheese burger isn't healthy. But that doesn't mean I need someone to stand over me and say "no, you can't eat that."

A good state, to me, will provided the information, but I don't want the state to limit what there is to choose from.

[depakid]

61. So what's the downside?

to posting nutrition information where everyone can see it or pressuring chain stores like Starbucks to start offering heathier choices- and stop using nasty (and unneccesary) ingredients like transfats?

As far as I can tell, there isn't one, and in case people haven't noticed we have an obesity and diabetes epidemic in this country (as well as a high incidence of heart disease).

And I'll go one step further- at some point there are good arguments for limiting peoples' choices. Like this one for example (as I recall- the nanny state memers were all over it at the time):

"Dr. Delos M. "Toby" Cosgrove, chief executive officer of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, said he has received calls from media outlets nationwide after publication of his efforts to have a McDonald's franchise moved out of the hospital.

"I'm in shock at the attention this has received," Cosgrove said. "I've had e-mails from people all over the world." Cosgrove is an internationally renowned heart surgeon. He said offering wise food selections at a facility caring for patients with serious heart conditions is just a matter of common sense.

The physician said he's leading an effort that doesn't just target McDonald's, but all the food services in the Ohio hospital, including the facility's own cafeteria and vending machines.

"The Krispy Kremes won't last for long," he said. Cosgrove said his intentions were not meant to intrude on people's freedom of choice.

"I'm not trying to be the food police," he said. "People can go half a mile away to a hamburger joint. I'm just trying to give employees and patients appropriate food choices within the hospital."

Cosgrove said his efforts to have the McDonald's franchise leave the hospital has probably drawn nationwide attention because the fast-food giant has put up a public fight. Recently, a Pizza Hut franchise quietly closed its doors at the hospital.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/newdex.php?display=rednews/2004/12/17/build/business/45-mcdonalds.inc

[Hekate]

67. Food has been corporatized into a product to be pushed

Why people as intelligent as DUers cannot see that is a mystery to me.

Coca-Cola was originally sold in 6-ounce bottles. SIX OUNCES. Now the smallest size is a 12-ounce can, and fast food joints will gladly comp you 32-ounces.

Why? All of you should be asking yourselves Why? Instead of blaming the consumer 100%, follow the money.

Follow the money.

Hekate

[cap]

57. people arent stating the real problem which is...

too much of our food is being monkeyed around with. Fructose syrup is in everything because it is a cheap way to decrease natural ingredients that really arent quite so bad for you. Natural ingredients have a taste. If you remove that ingredient and make up for it with another ingredient you end up adding more fructose syrup. There's a lot of ingredients that are manufactured from corn that are highly caloric that major food industry players are using.

Large portion size is another culprit. It is another way to fatten profit margins by increasing the price disproportionately in relation to the extra size of the product.

We need an Upton Sinclair to expose this

[donco6]

58. I have the perfect solution.

Don't have a Venti banana mocha Frappuccino EVERY F-ING DAY! It's a *dessert* fer Chrissakes. But do we have to BAN them? Why not ban chocolate cake? Snicker bars? Potato chips?

Sheesh.

[Megahurtz]

63. Oh God.

The Food Police are at it again.:eyes:

[ABaker]

65. I agree with posts #4 and #7

Corporations are partially to blame for our health problems, so why let them off the hook?

Why not sue corporations so they will stop serving stuff they know is harmful?

[Generator]

68. The real problem with Starbucks is it's BORING

that's the killer. Any decent sized city has real coffee shops. Coffee is BIG here in the northwest and I can find about ten places off the top of my head with more charm.