Chicago aldermen called Wednesday for the chief executives of major chains such as McDonald’s and Starbucks to come to City Hall to explain their use of trans fat oils, which have been linked to cholesterol problems and an increased risk of heart disease.
Ald. Edward Burke (14th), who proposes restricting the use of trans fat oils by chain restaurants, said he wants to ask the corporate chiefs, “Why, in light of all the scientific evidence, are you continuing to prepare food in this clearly unhealthy way?”
Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th) said he would ask CEOs to appear as soon as the next meeting of the City Council’s License Committee, which he leads.
“If we don’t do anything about this, it could be our next pandemic,” Schulter said, referring to widespread obesity. “No question about it, [fast-food chains] are causing a major health problem.”
Schulter expressed enthusiasm for city officials using whatever leverage they have to institute changes at fast-food chain outlets in the city’s airport terminals.
“In our lease agreements with these companies, we could stipulate that trans fats not be used,” Schulter said.
Burke noted that McDonald’s outlets operate at both O’Hare and Midway.
“As a tenant–one that I suspect will be seeking to renew that tenancy–they have an obligation to cooperate with the legislative process,” Burke said.
A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said the company has “not yet received an invitation” when asked if the company’s top official would meet with aldermen.
A spokeswoman for Starbucks said, “Right now, our CEO is not planning to attend.”
Burke initially proposed making Chicago the first city in the nation to completely prohibit restaurants from using trans-fat oils. But Daley said the ban is unnecessary.
