On today's 5 to Know break from the serious stuff: some outrageous lawsuits you probably never heard of. Let's just say Subway, Starbucks, and an American beer company had to deal with some pretty ridiculous stuff in the last 25 years.
LONDON — Ireland's Supreme Court has ruled that bread sold by the fast food chain Subway contains so much sugar that it cannot be legally defined as bread.
The ruling came in a tax dispute brought by Bookfinders Ltd., an Irish Subway franchisee, which argued that some of its takeaway products, including teas, coffees and heated sandwiches, were not liable for value-added tax.
A panel of judges rejected the appeal Tuesday, ruling that the bread sold by Subway contains too much sugar to be categorized as a "staple food," which is not taxed.
Ireland’s Supreme Court has ruled that bread sold by the fast food chain Subway contains so much sugar that it cannot be legally defined as bread.
"There is no dispute that the bread supplied by Subway in its heated sandwiches has a sugar content of 10% of the weight of the flour included in the dough, and thus exceeds the 2% specified," the judgement read.
The law makes a distinction between "bread as a staple food" and other baked goods "which are, or approach, confectionery or fancy baked goods," the judgement said.
Subway disagreed with the characterization in a statement.
“Subway’s bread is, of course, bread,” the company said in an email. “We have been baking fresh bread in our restaurants for more than three decades and our guests return each day for sandwiches made on bread that smells as good as it tastes.”
Bookfinders was appealing a 2006 decision by authorities who refused to refund value-added tax payments. Lower courts had dismissed the case before it reached the Supreme Court.
Subway said it was reviewing the latest tax ruling. It added that the decision was based on an outdated bread exemption set by the Irish government that was updated in 2012.
15 low-calorie menu items at national chains
Here's what to order at fast food and casual dining restaurant chains if you're cutting calories.
15 low-calorie menu items at national chains
Chili's Southwestern BLT, side of vegetables
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Chili's Southwestern BLT is only 370 calories on its own. Sides like asparagus and garlic roasted tomatoes (70 calories) or the steamed broccoli (40 calories) are a bit healthier than the standard fries (210 calories).
Red Robin's Simply Grilled Chicken sandwich
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Red Robin's Simply Grilled Chicken sandwich with a side of fruit salad totals 610 calories.
Red Lobster's Wood Grilled Shrimp
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Red Lobster's Wood Grilled Shrimp is 380 calories. For healthy sides, asparagus is 80 calories, and broccoli is 40.
Cracker Barrel's Lemon Pepper Grilled Trout
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Cracker Barrel's Lemon Pepper Grilled Trout is 330 calories. Healthy sides are available, such as applesauce (50 calories), country green beans (60), fruit (50 calories) and steamed broccoli (40).
Noodles & Company, small order of Japanese Pan Noodles or Penne Rosa
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A small order of Noodles & Company's Japanese Pan Noodles or the Penne Rosa is 360 calories. Adding grilled chicken will add 90 calories, or adding sautéed shrimp will add 70.
Olive Garden's Herb-Grilled Salmon
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Olive Garden's Herb-Grilled Salmon is 460 calories. A side of Parmesan-crusted zucchini is 90 calories, and steamed broccoli is 35.
Arby's Roast Turkey Farmhouse Salad
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Arby's Roast Turkey Farmhouse Salad with light Italian dressing is 250 calories.
Buffalo Wild Wings' traditional wings
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Ordering traditional wings rather than boneless will result in a slightly healthier meal at Buffalo Wild Wings. Traditional wings come in at 360-1,300 calories depending on size while the boneless wings range from 660 to 1,990. Getting dry seasonings on your wings will result in five to 10 calories while sauces can be up to 620 calories.
Chipotle burrito bowl
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Getting a burrito bowl eliminates one of the high-calorie items at Chipotle, the 320-calorie tortilla. Getting it without rice cuts out another 210 calories. A rice-less bowl with black beans, steak, fajita vegetables, green salsa, guacamole and lettuce is 550 calories.
McDonald's Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich
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McDonald's Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich is 380 calories.
Taco Bell's Fresco menu
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Ordering from Taco Bell's Fresco menu usually results in a lower-calorie meal. The Fresco tacos range from 140 to 160 calories depending on meat choice, compared to 170-340 calories for other tacos.
Denny's Fit Slam
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The Fit Slam at Denny’s is 390 calories and consists of scrambled egg white with spinach and grape tomatoes, two pieces of turkey bacon, English muffin and fruit.
Culver's grilled chicken sandwich or single butter burger
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A single butter burger at Culver's is 390 calories, as is the grilled chicken sandwich. For sides, the green beans and the mashed potatoes and gravy are 130 calories each. A side salad is 60 calories.
A&W hot dog or Coney dog (without cheese)
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A hot dog at A&W is 310 calories, and the Coney dog (without cheese) is 340. A pouch of applesauce on the side only adds 60 calories.
Jack in the Box
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The Jr. Jack burger is 320 calories. A side of Chiquita Apple Bites with caramel is 70 calories.
