Report: McDonald's looks to settle french fry suit

CHICAGO - McDonald&#39;s is reportedly close to settling lawsuits filed by vegetarians accusing the restaurant chain of concealing the use of beef extract in its French fries. <br> <br> The Chicago Tribune reports a draft of the proposed settlement offer would have McDonald&#39;s paying $10 million to charities that support vegetarianism. <br> <br> The report says the fast food giant would issue a public apology and form an advisory board to counsel the company on vegetarian dietary issues. McDonald&#39;s also would pay $2.4 million to the plaintiff&#39;s attorneys. <br> <br> The agreement would cover lawsuits in five states that were filed on behalf of any vegetarian who ate McDonald&#39;s fries after 1990. That was when McDonald&#39;s began saying its fries were cooked in 100 percent vegetable oil.