NO, WE DON'T WANT FRIES WITH THAT

DES MOINES, Iowa - Some vegetarians, including the lead lawyer in the matter, are challenging how McDonald's Corp. will distribute $10 million to settle the mislabeling case involving beef-flavored french fries.

An Illinois Circuit Court judge in Chicago is to hear arguments next Monday on who should receive the money and why.

The Seattle attorney who brought the original lawsuit against the fast-food giant, Harish Bharti, said he will object to the company's list of proposed recipients in part because the selection process had been "rigged," favoring those who either don't represent the majority of vegetarians or who are sympathetic to McDonald's.

"I am deeply concerned that the funds not be allocated to a relatively small number of interest groups determined by ... lawyers with personal preferences or prejudices unrelated to the actual needs and concerns of the class members," Bharti said in a brief.

Bharti wants the court to appoint an impartial third party to draw up a new recipients' list. (Full story)

Slimyness and passive-aggressiveness are qualities easily associated with the fast food industry. Keep in mind, though, that both McD's and Burger King are in serious financial doodoo as of late, so they need all the help they can get, and thus all the available corners they think they can cut. As someone who has essentially kicked the fast food habit (as well as meat in general), I say stick it to 'em until they fly right.

In the meantime, check out VegSource.com (an organization with a significant interest in this case; its founder is one of the figures questioning the settlement distribution), and of course, get your booty over to your local book vendor and read Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation if you haven't already.