Starbucks Corp. (Nasdaq: SBUX) said Monday that it would end the use of artificial trans fats in food and beverages in the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada by the end of 2007.

The Seattle-based firm had previously announced it would remove trans fats from its items at the beginning of its fiscal quarter, but did not mention a specific date. Starbucks also said that it is also in the process of working to remove artificial fats from products outside of North America.

"While some products will have small amounts of naturally occurring trans fats from quality ingredients like butter, every choice will be free of artificial trans fat ingredients,' said Denny Marie Post a vice president at the firm.

The move comes as companies are under increasing pressure to remove trans fats from their menus. Last year, New York City became the first city in the United States to ban artificial trans fats in restaurant food.

Fried Chicken chain KFC replaced the fat with a new soybean oil last year which is believed to be less likely to cause heart disease. Sister restaurant Taco Bell did likewise. Other companies such as McDonald's and Burger King have already said they will eventually get rid of trans fats.

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