Taco Bell’s Mystery Meat Controversy
In case the dog food-like texture, cheap prices, and fast food convenience weren’t any indication, now there are legal and scientific reasons for avoiding Taco Bell’s meat filling/meat substitute/mystery meat/meat-like substance/meat byproduct - you get the idea…..it’s anything but real beef.
Last week, there was a false advertising, class-action lawsuit filed against Taco Bell claiming that their ground beef product is only 35% meat (the remaining 65% includes extenders, fillers, binders…..you know, more non-meat ingredients). This does not even meet the USDA’s ridiculously low 40% minimum requirement to label a product as “beef”.
Since the lawsuit has been filed, Taco Bell has fired back by taking out ads in numerous newspapers refuting the claims. During an interview on Good Morning America , Taco Bell’s president claims that their meat is “88% USDA inspected” (whatever that means). Even the product ingredients on their website don’t explicitly state what’s in the beef (the menu items just list ‘beef’ and other various additions). No explanation for what the actual beef contains. So, where’s the beef? It’s like the “Jersey Shore”-ification of meat.
Because of the cost, convenience, and relative grossness taste, I don’t anticipate this will hurt Taco Bell’s rep in the long run. However, it should give you pause when you hear their slogan “think outside the bun”. Right after you do that you should “look inside the taco/burrito/chalupa”. And, if 35% beef from a cow that’s not allowed to graze, is force-fed grains, and stays medicated with antibiotics because they’re often very sick doesn’t sound disgusting to you, then maybe this bait and switch from Taco Bell is fine with you. If that’s the case, move along….there’s nothing to see here. However, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Here’s the Taco Bell press release rebutting the accusations.
Update: The law firm that initiated the lawsuit has withdrawn it claiming that Taco Bell has changed its marketing materials. I think that’s a very interesting outcome.
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Jeff is a family man, news/information junkie, certified personal trainer and holistic wellness enthusiast. He's passionate about disease prevention, the amazing inner workings of the human body, sports, exercising, nature, traveling, and spending time with his family...not necessarily in that order.
