KFC being sued

[mrsltg]

The below article is on CNN.com. My take? When did personal responsibility become unfashionable? When did eating fried chicken and french fries become healthy or something that should be healthy. I agree with the quote at the end of the article - I hope this is thrown out of court immediately and I believe we need to move to a loser pays system.

"KFC gets burned for using unhealthy fat
Consumer group sues KFC parent company over use of artery-clogging trans fat; fast food chain calls lawsuit 'frivolous'.
June 14, 2006: 12:37 PM EDT


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. consumer group sued the operator of the KFC fried chicken restaurant chain on Tuesday to try and force it to stop frying foods in an artery- clogging fat.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, in a suit filed against Yum Brands Inc. (up $0.08 to $49.75, Research), said some KFC meals were "startlingly" high in harmful trans fat from the partially hydrogenated oils used for frying.


CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson said it was harder to avoid trans fat at KFC than at other fast-food restaurants.

"Trans fat is almost everywhere on this menu. By frying in such a dangerous oil, KFC is making its unsuspecting consumers' arteries Extra Crispy," he said, referring to a version of fried chicken sold by KFC.

The suit, which KFC called frivolous, seeks to force the chain to stop cooking with trans fat or prominently warn customers about the health hazard in the restaurants.

KFC "does not properly warn, disclose or even tell consumers that they are eating food items prepared with the worst oil available," CSPI said in a legal complaint filed in Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

The group asked the court to order KFC to switch to a healthier frying oil. If that is ruled out, CSPI said the court should require signs at KFC outlets saying "KFC fried chicken and certain other foods contain trans fat, which promotes heart disease."

KFC spokeswoman Laurie Schalow said the company provided trans fat values and other nutrition details on its Web site and in restaurants and that all KFC products were safe to eat.

"This is a frivolous lawsuit completely without merit and we intend to vigorously defend our position," she said.

The company has been reviewing alternative oils, but must consider a number of issues such as availability, transportation and maintaining its chicken's taste, she added.

CSPI said a typical three-piece combo meal with an Extra Crispy chicken drumstick, two Extra Crispy thighs, potato wedges and a biscuit contained 15 grams of trans fat.

Health experts suggest minimizing trans fat consumption as much as possible. Research shows it raises LDL or "bad" cholesterol, while lowering HDL, the "good" cholesterol.

Last week, No. 3 U.S. burger chainWendy's International Inc. (up $1.24 to $58.10, Research) said it would significantly cut trans fat from its menu by switching to a new blend of corn and soy oil for french fries and breaded chicken items. McDonald's Corp. (up $0.60 to $32.54, Research) vowed in 2002 to remove trans fat from its french fries in the United States but has not done so.

CSPI, often nicknamed the "food police," is known for campaigning against high-calorie and high-fat fare.

The industry-funded Center for Consumer Freedom said CSPI had filed the suit simply to generate media coverage.

"Any judge unfortunate enough to be burdened with this court-clogging sham should have the good sense to throw CSPI out of court," said Center for Consumer Freedom research analyst J. Justin Wilson.

Yum Brands, based in Louisville, Kentucky, also operates the Pizza Hut and Taco Bell fast-food chains."

 

[AllyandJack]

Nobody is forcing this stuff down anyone's throat. French fries are supposed to be greasy. That's what makes them so GREAT. Same with fried chicken. As long as you don't eat it every day, it's a lovely treat. I'm not a big KFC fan - although I like the sides, but I love me some fried chicken and french fries.

Nothing like being trapped in traffic and seeing the glorious Wendy's sign, pulling over and getting some fries to pass the time in traffic. Oh, yum! I heard they were changing their fries, too.....thankfully, the local place near me has THE greasiest fries and they will not bow to pressure to make their fries...."healthy". They're not supposed to be healthy! That's the point! It's a TREAT. Something you eat for fun every now and then. Why must we all suffer because a small group of people can't grasp that concept?

 

[Maleficent13]

"Trans fat is almost everywhere on this menu. By frying in such a dangerous oil, KFC is making its unsuspecting consumers' arteries Extra Crispy," he said, referring to a version of fried chicken sold by KFC.

"Unsuspecting consumers"??? What, the ones that live under the local rocks?

 

[Geoff_M]

I believe this is the same group that tried to file a similar suit against McDonald's a couple of years back. I predict this one will meet the same fate as the previous one... it'll get bounced out of court.

 

[mrsltg]

Yes Geoff, but if I'm not mistaken, this group is run by the same guy who said something to the effect of, "It took 700 lawsuits before there was a judgement against tobacco. Now do you know what they call those lawyers? Millionaires!"

We need loser pays.

 

[Jimbo]

Yes Geoff, but if I'm not mistaken, this group is run by the same guy who said something to the effect of, "It took 700 lawsuits before there was a judgement against tobacco. Now do you know what they call those lawyers? Millionaires!"

We need loser pays.

A big difference, though, is that while a smoker may just smoke Marlboros, nobody just eats at KFC. It doesn't seem like KFC could be liable, when the "victims" probably ate lots of other fatty foods, too. But I guess I shouldn't underestimate what's possible now days.

 

[Plantlady]

Oh, reading about all of this fatty food sure does put me in the mood for one of KFC's new famous bowls!

 

[Marseeya]

I wish they'd just leave the fast food places alone! Nobody should be eating at them 5+ times a week like some people do anyway. I probably eat at KFC maybe 3-4 times a year, and same with other fast food places.

It's a treat -- not meant to be a main source of nutrition, but unfortunately a lot of people don't see it that way.

 

[Planogirl]

I hope that they leave Popeye's alone!

I can't believe that anyone would be unaware that KFC food is unhealthy. My stomach is already curdling just at the thought of eating the stuff. Even though it tastes really good.

 

[JimboInLimbo]

Oh Good God I wish someone would bury these groups under a rock. They should be charged every time a stupid lawsuit like that gets thrown out for wasting the courts time.

 

[Evil Queen]

I hate these lawsuits. Cook at home, but in my case, you won't alwasy get healthier in my house. Fried Chicken is one of our southern favs.

 

[AllyandJack]

How are those KFC bowls? I'd probably pick at the chicken, but it looks mightly tasty with the mashed potatoes and corn and cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

 

[Ginamarie]

I commented yesterday on the thread about the family suing WDW, but Ill mention it here as well. There is such a thing as punishing plaintiffs and plaintiffs' attorneys for bringing frivilous lawsuits. In this KFC case, they have a much better chance of getting the whole thing bounced out of court, possibly with sanctions against the plaintiff and/or its attorneys. This lawsuit is ridiculous.. I mean what are the alleging that the general public thinks the chicken is being fried in.. something HEALTHY?

The difference between this and cases against tobacco companies is that tobacco is addictive. I can't imagine having a bunch of people saying that they thought fried chicken was health food, and now that they found out it isn't, they can't stop eating it.

This is why lawyers have a bad name!!