LOS ANGELES -- Pastries and other foods sold at half of Starbucks Corp.'s U.S. outlets are now free of artery-clogging trans fats, a spokesperson for the coffee shop chain said.
The move makes Starbucks the latest in a string of U.S. restaurant chains to remove trans fats from its menu. Spokesperson Brandon Borrman told Reuters the foods at all of its U.S. stores would be free of trans fats by later this year.
The plan is that we will complete this year, Borrman said, adding that Starbucks has been working on cutting trans fats [image-nocss] from its products for about two years.
Beginning last week, everything from muffins to sandwiches at Starbucks outlets in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. is now free of trans fats, Borrman said.
Trans fats are made synthetically when food processors harden fat to make it more like butter in a process called hydrogenization that is used to extend shelf life and enhance the texture of some foods.
Trans fats also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by boosting levels of so-called bad cholesterol, known as LDL, and reducing levels of good, or HDL, cholesterol.
Several chains, including Wendy's International Inc., Yum Brands Inc. units Taco Bell and KFC, and Panera Bread Co., have either already made the switch to healthier oils or have set a timeline for the change.
Last month, New York City banned most artificial trans fats from restaurants.
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