The beef with Taco Bell

E-mail | Print | Comments () Posted by Deborah Kotz January 26, 2011 10:37 AM

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Taco Bell's ads tell us to "think outside the bun" but perhaps we should be thinking about what's inside the tortilla. On Tuesday, an Alabama law firm filed a class-action lawsuit against the fast food chain saying that the "seasoned beef" in those enchiladas and tacos is only composed of about 36 percent meat.

The law firm conducted a lab analysis of the meat mixture and found that it contained water, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltrodrextrin, modified corn starch and an anti-dusting agent. According to the filing, Taco Bell is engaging in false advertising when it calls its product "beef."

The United States Department of Agriculture says "ground beef can have seasonings, but no water, phosphates, extenders, or binders added."

The lawsuit isn't seeking monetary damages from Taco Bell, but would like the food company to reveal to consumers what's really in its seasoned beef.

Taco Bell, though, is fighting back. Taco Bell President Greg Creed said in a statement on Tuesday that the lawsuit is full of inaccuracies and that the company plans to take legal action.

He insisted that Taco Bell's seasoned beef is "100 percent USDA-inspected beef" simmered with "our proprietary blend of seasonings and spices to give our seasoned beef its signature Taco Bell taste and texture."

What do you think? Are you less likely to eat at Taco Bell after these reports?

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about the blog

Daily Dose gives you the latest consumer health news and advice from Boston-area experts. Deborah Kotz is a former reporter for US News and World Report. Write her at dailydose@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @debkotz2.

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