According to this law suit being brought against them, that's the case. They're not being sued for money -- just for misleading advertising. Amanda Obney wants them to change their label to something other than "seasoned beef," since it's not really even beef, according to the US DoA definition. Perhaps Looks-Like-Beef or Sorta-Beef would be a better name for it?
Quote:
Unless you are a chemist, Taco Bell’s “taco meat filling” really is “mystery meat.” At least that’s what Amanda Obney alleges in her class action suite against the franchise giant.
Obney, who is not seeking monetary damages, says Taco Bell’s use of the word “beef” constitutes false advertising.
The suit was filed by the law firm of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles of Montgomery, Alabama. W. Daniel “Dee” Miles III, who spoke in behalf of the firm, said, “You can’t call it beef by definition, it’s junk. I wouldn’t eat it.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines “beef,” surprisingly enough, as “the flesh of cattle.”
“Taco Bell’s definition of ‘seasoned beef’ does not conform to consumers’ reasonable expectation or ordinary meaning of seasoned beef, which is beef and seasonings,” the suit says.
The suit alleges that the “taco meat filling” and “seasoned beef” is in reality 65 percent fillers and chemicals. Attorney Miles said that only 35 percent was solid, and only 15 percent was protein.
The Associated Press reported the filler was made of binders, extenders, and “water, wheat, oats, soy lecithin, maltodrextrin, anti-dusting agent and modified corn starch.”
On a side note this story isn't surprising, many food products aren't what they seem, as a kid I worked in a fish processing plant back east...put it this way I would never ever eat packaged fish products.(eg..captain highliner)
It gets even better. The FDA has a standard for "meat-filling" but even that is mandated to be at least 40% beef
The best case is that Taco Bell calls it "almost beef filling"
this is awesome. I can't wait to see how this shakes down. For sure an enormous counter claim as a negotiating leverage, but TB is going to be in tough.
good for whomever discovered this.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
I'm not concerned, Taco Bell still has until 2032 to become the only restaurant around.
i think demolition man had it right, except, there will still be lots of choices like taco bell, KFC, mcdonalds... just everything will be owned by 1 or 2 companies. everything.
Taco Bell "beef" 35% beef, 65% unknowns
