[JURIST] Fast-food giant McDonald's [official website] has agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle a lawsuit over unhealthy trans fats [American Hear Association recommendations] in its cooking oils used to make french fries and other foods. The settlement is the result of litigation brought by the non-profit advocacy group BanTransFats.com [advocacy website] which alleged that McDonald's did not adequately inform the public of delays in switching to a healthier cooking oil. McDonald's has agreed to pay $7 million to the American Heart Association [official website] for education about trans fat foods with $7,500 each going to the BanTransFats website and another plaintiff in the case. Read a BanTransFats press release on the settlement. Reuters has more.