Alabaman law firm Beasley, Allen, filed a lawsuit Friday accusing fast food chain Taco Bell of false advertising about its “seasoned beef.”
A study conducted by the firm revealed that what Taco Bell calls “seasoned beef” is actually less than 35% beef, and contains mostly “binders” and “extenders.”
This 35% doesn’t meet the minimum requirements that T
he U.S. Department of Agriculture has set for something to be labeled “beef.”
If only 35% is beef, what is the other 65% of the mystery meat made of? Well, water, soy lecithin, maltodextrin, and anti-dusting agent, of course!
Taco Bell’s website lists these ingredients for their seasoned ground beef, in addition to yeast extract, caramel color, and silicon dioxide. Unfortunately, the website fails to mention just how much of their product is actually beef.
Allegedly, Taco Bell uses the term “taco meat filling” within the company, including on the containers shipped to its various locations, while in advertising and to the public it’s known as “beef.”
The class action lawsuit is still awaiting trial.