Starbucks Stores To End Use of Trans Fats in Foods

Starbucks on Wednesday will begin to eliminate trans fats from foods served in company stores in 10 U.S. cities, the AP/South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. The cities are Boston; Chicago; Los Angeles; New York; Philadelphia; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. (Woodward, AP/South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 1/2).

Research indicates that trans fats can increase risk for cardiovascular disease in part by increasing levels of LDL, or "bad," cholesterol and decrease levels of HDL, or "good," cholesterol (Harris, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 1/3).

In addition, Starbucks by the end of the year likely will eliminate trans fats from foods served in all 5,700 company stores in the U.S. and Canada (Allison, Seattle Times, 1/3).

The elimination of trans fats from foods served in Starbucks stores will not result in increased prices, and the move will not affect licensed company stores, such as kiosks in supermarkets and bookstores.

Brandon Borrman, a Starbucks spokesperson, said, "We started this process two years ago. We want to make sure our customers have high-quality, nutritious options" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 1/3).

Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure in Florida and Universal Hollywood on Dec. 24, 2006, eliminated trans fats from more than 90% of the foods served at the theme parks, the AP/Arizona Daily Star reports. The theme parks by the end of the year likely will eliminate trans fats from additional foods, Ric Florell, a senior vice president with Universal Orlando Resort, said (Change, AP/Arizona Daily Star, 12/28/06).