In 2006, Wendy's became the first big fast-food chain to switch away from trans fat. McDonald's, which was sued in 2003 for still using artificial trans fat frying oil despite a 2002 promise to phase it out, has begun using trans-fat-free oil in some cities and plans to complete its conversion by the end of 2008. Starbucks replaced the partially hydrogenated oil in almost all of its pastries after news of a potential CSPI lawsuit was reported. Last month, KFC announced that it completed its conversion to trans-fat-free deep-frying, a move accelerated in part by a CSPI-initiated lawsuit, which the group withdrew from after KFC announced its intentions.
While Burger King will comply with new requirements in New York City and Philadelphia not to use artificial trans fat in those cities, diners in the rest of the country will be subjected to high levels of trans fat.