Posted on 06/22/2013 2:02:28 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
SEATTLE, June 19 (UPI) -- Seattle-based coffee chain Starbucks said it will label the calories of items on menu boards at U.S. stores next week, ahead of federal regulations.
"Menu labeling is yet another step to extend our commitment to wellness, ensuring our customers and partners -- employees -- have the information they need to make informed decisions and understand all the ways that they can customize their Starbucks beverages to be within their desired calorie range," Mary Wagner, senior vice president of Global Research & Development at Starbucks, said in a statement.
Starbucks will post calorie counts to accompany each beverage listed on the menu boards, as well as on tags to accompany food in the bakery case. Each beverage is listed as a standard recipe, though each is fully customizable, such as ordering without whip, choosing a different milk or sugar-free syrup option, Wagner said.
Menu board labeling and pastry case calorie labeling will complement nutritional information already provided to customers via printed brochures, a nutrition tab on Starbucks.com and via the Starbucks Mobile App for iPhone.
In addition to the nutritional information on the Starbucks website, a page provides a list of favorite foods with 350 calories or less at http://www.starbucks.com/menu/nutrition/35-under-350.
Ashley Barrient, a clinical dietitian and bariatric specialist at Loyola University Medical Center near Chicago said Starbucks, said:
"So often in Loyola's medical weight loss clinic, I witness patients' reactions of disbelief and shock as we review together online the high caloric content of a food item they chose at a restaurant that they thought was healthy."
Venti Java Chip Nanny State PING!
Candy bar in a cup!
In the olden days, the weight-conscious folk had “calorie counter” booklets they could carry in pocket and purse. These stated that a 6 fl. oz. cup of brewed coffee was reliably only 4 calories.
What about a 24 oz latte made with whole milk and a double sugar syrup flavor shot?
Not that I think the FedGov should have any business forcing stores to convey this information, mind you. This will be yet another regulatory burden on small and start up businesses.
No, I don’t think the FedGov should force any business to provide this information. Let the individual businesses decide and let the hand of the market have its way. Let’s see if this drives business to the doors of Starbucks or away from them.
Furthermore, if Starbuck posts that its latte has so many calories, a wise consumer will say “That’s nice, but Joe’s Java down the street is family owned, and they make a better-tasting cup of coffee, so now that I know how many calories are in a latte based on the Starbucks menu, I think I’ll buy my latte from Joe’s instead.”
Snip: The price hike comes despite falling coffee costs that have boosted the company's profits. In the last quarter, Starbucks cited lower coffee costs for a stronger operating margin, which represents the money it pockets from sales after subtracting what it pays to keep stores running.
If Starbucks were to decide to abide by truth in advertising, they would eliminate the “tar” from their name.
Starbucks = Dunkin Donuts gay....
Starbucks more like Four-bucks.
Quick trivia: what character in what novel is the coffeeshop chain named after?
Captain?
Thanks for the ping!
Good try. Ahab is the Captain of the whaleship Pequod in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.
The chief mate is Starbuck, a Quaker.
“Call me Ishmael.”
Trivia answer: the first officer aboard the Pequod in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.
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