Running for the border has turned into running for a lawyer.
A false-advertising lawsuit alleges the meat mixture used by Taco Bell has binders and extenders and does not meet federal requirements to be labeled beef. In the briefs filed, the filling tested was alleged to have contained 35% beef - though it did not say who tested the meat or give any other specifics of the analysis. Taco Bell says the filling contains 88% USDA-inspected beef and the rest is water, spices and a mixture of oats, starch and other ingredients that contribute to what it calls the "quality of its product." The company said it uses no extenders to add volume to the filling.
The lawsuit seeks to make the company stop calling it "beef"...and pay the suing law firm's bill (ka-ching! the payoff!). To win, the plaintiffs would have to prove that most diners believe they are getting something other than what Taco Bell serves, though most customers realize taco meat has ingredients besides beef.
Additionally, the lawsuit cites U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for labeling ground beef...but the guidelines don't apply to restaurants. The USDA's rules apply to meat processors — the companies Taco Bell buys its meat from. Tyson Foods Inc., the company's largest meat supplier, said it mixes and cooks the meat at three USDA-inspected plants.
Fast food often contains additives, like "isolated oat product", which is used to help processed meat hang onto moisture and flavor. Companies like McDonald's use them too, and can still says its hamburgers are all beef...but plus additives and preservatives (similar ingredients are used in many processed foods sold in stores).
Taco Bell is on the back foot now to support their beef claims, and will have to respond with a whole lot of PR and spin, but presuming customers even care if its meat or meat-like is as relevant as them wanting Mexican or Mexican-ish food.
A false-advertising lawsuit alleges the meat mixture used by Taco Bell has binders and extenders and does not meet federal requirements to be labeled beef. In the briefs filed, the filling tested was alleged to have contained 35% beef - though it did not say who tested the meat or give any other specifics of the analysis. Taco Bell says the filling contains 88% USDA-inspected beef and the rest is water, spices and a mixture of oats, starch and other ingredients that contribute to what it calls the "quality of its product." The company said it uses no extenders to add volume to the filling.
The lawsuit seeks to make the company stop calling it "beef"...and pay the suing law firm's bill (ka-ching! the payoff!). To win, the plaintiffs would have to prove that most diners believe they are getting something other than what Taco Bell serves, though most customers realize taco meat has ingredients besides beef.
Additionally, the lawsuit cites U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for labeling ground beef...but the guidelines don't apply to restaurants. The USDA's rules apply to meat processors — the companies Taco Bell buys its meat from. Tyson Foods Inc., the company's largest meat supplier, said it mixes and cooks the meat at three USDA-inspected plants.
Fast food often contains additives, like "isolated oat product", which is used to help processed meat hang onto moisture and flavor. Companies like McDonald's use them too, and can still says its hamburgers are all beef...but plus additives and preservatives (similar ingredients are used in many processed foods sold in stores).
Taco Bell is on the back foot now to support their beef claims, and will have to respond with a whole lot of PR and spin, but presuming customers even care if its meat or meat-like is as relevant as them wanting Mexican or Mexican-ish food.
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