I think that the CSPI is really off base with this one. It's like protesting a restaurant for being unhealthy because they have a dessert menu.

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I don't find this one quite as baseless. For the most part, when you go to KFC, you're probably aware that you're consuming a high-fat, high-calorie, high-sodium product. Chances are you know, but you just don't care.

If you go to Starbucks on a hot summer day and decide to treat yourself to a grande mocha Frappuccino with whip, and you watch them prepare that drink with lots of ice, some milk, and some coffee, and a bit of whipped cream and chocolate on top, you might not be aware that this beverage packs a whopping 450 calories and 16g fat. Obviously you can scale that back by ordering skim no whip.

The point is, most everyone knows that fried chicken is bad for them, but people may not be aware that a coffee-based beverage can be.

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WHAT?! KFC is fattening? It seems as if all this "consumer health group" is doing is pointing out the obvious. Yes, if you eat KFC every day you will probably gain weight. Yes, if you drink a venti mocha chip frappacino every day, you will probably gain weight. The responsibility is solely in the hands of the consumer. People have common sense, they just don't use it. When things go awry and they start gaining weight, they cry foul. It is not KFC or Starbucks fault that they gained weight. Starbucks did not force them to drink that venti frappucino every day, nor did KFC force feed them fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

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Some people (CSPI) need to get a life or better yet donate time to a non profit charity. Consumers are not stupid. They know if they order a latte with real cream that it is high in calories. It is their choice. The last time I checked, this was still a free country. If people with all the information that is out there want to eat fattening food, let them! I don't want anyone telling me what to eat/drink, but I do want choices. I want to be able to choose fruit or icecream.

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I don't know if I agree with what the CSPI is doing or not, but they have a point. I just checked the food nutritional information on starbucks.com, and the calories and fat are WAY up there. A single apple fritter had more than 700 calories. I'll have to make sure never to order that.

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*Playing the Devil's advocate once again*
I don't see what's so wrong with what the CSPI is trying to do. They are not telling anyone what they can and cannot consume, merely that what they are about to consume is very bad. All they are clamoring for is that nutritional information be posted more clearly. You and I may realise the caloric contents of what we choose to put down our gullets, but you and I are also savvy Slashfood readers. Have you met the average food consumer? I manage a deli. Trust me, they're not very bright. A little extra information might help them make better choices. I for one welcome our nutritional watchdog overlords.

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Deli manager, please post a sign in your deli instructing your customers that your food will make them into a fat, unattractive slob who will never have a girlfriend.

I know that the Starbucks mocha frap thingy is full of calories. Really if you don't you're a moron. Look at the drinks. Its full of sugar-powder and cream. The same attributes that make it yummy. Most of the time, fat and sugar TASTE GOOD.

Personally I try to save my "double o" from Cosi (prefer that to starbucks frapps) for after I have done at least a 30 mile bike ride. I know its full of calories, but after stomping on those pedals for a couple hours, I figure I've earned it.

If CSPI wants to do something good for the world, go buy people a bicycle helmet or clean up someone's yard...or do something useful with thier time other than being a buzz kill about the obvious fattening nature of mass produced food in america. Or maybe the can take the money they are spending coming up pithy slogans and open a soup kitchen.

I pay alot of money for my Blue Cross and Blue Shield. If I want to eat like a pig and have a Kentucky Fried Correnary, its my right. Gotta make that insurance work for me.

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I've been waiting for Oprah to launch her anti-Starbucks campaign just like when she publicized how many grams of fat were in a Big Mac. I think people really don't realize how fattening coffee drinks are. I would never buy or drink whole milk except in lattes. (Recently I switched to soy after experimenting with skim.) I think maybe people also don't think about beverages as being fattening (like Jamba Juice).

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Don't know that Starbuck's drinks are fattening? Are you stupid? At least Starbucks offers choices you can have a double shot Americano, espresso and hot water, a herbal tea, or regular brewed coffee with no cream. We CHOSE the high cal high fat drinks and each one of us knows that milkshake disguised as coffee is fattening. Please don't police Starbucks. They do lots of good for the community.
Kel, KC

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