McDonald's to pay $10.5 million in trans fat suit

A judge has approved a settlement requiring McDonald's to pay a total of about $10.5 million for failing to give adequate notice that it had delayed a highly publicized plan to reduce trans fat in its foods. McDonald's agreed to donate at least $7 million to the American Heart Association to publicize the dangers of trans fats and spend up to $1.5 million to publish notices telling consumers about the status of the chain's trans fat reduction plan. McDonald's announced is plan to reduce trans fat in their foods in February 2003, but so far have only reduced trans fats in fried chicken products. [AP]