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Where's the beef? According to a class action lawsuit filed by the Beasley Allen law firm out of Montgomery, Alabama, it's certainly not in Taco Bell's "taco meat filling." The "seasoned ground beef" contains less than 35 percent beef - the other 65 percent of the meat-like mixture is: water, isolated oat product, salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, oats (wheat), soy lecithin, sugar, spices, maltodextrin, soybean oil (anti-dusting agent), garlic powder, autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, caramel color, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), natural flavors, yeast, modified corn starch, natural smoke flavor, salt, sodium phosphate, less than 2% of beef broth, potassium phosphate and potassium lactate. Whew, did you get all that? Oh, there's also caramel color and natural smoke flavor added. |
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My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann't imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
If you think this is bad you should see the junk the military is served. I once saw a box in the dumpster behind a galley in Guam that said "Rejected from California penal system." The box had contained beef...
I find it amusing that this is finally out in the open. It's funny that Taco Bell is denying it though. My husband used to work at Taco Bell when he was younger and he told me long before now that the meat isn't even meat. He said that beef was one of the last ingredients on the list. They also get it in these boil bags. It's nasty. It has so much non beef in it that they have to add food coloring to make it LOOK like beef! *BARF*
They're just denying that it's not 35% instead of the required 40%. Why is that so funny? I'm sure Taco Bell's meat has been tested by the FDA and the huge companies know what theyr'e doing better than some customer from Cali that did one test on their taco! : p
Your husband is a lying idiot. I too worked at Taco Bell as a kid, as did a friend of mine that managed a Taco Bell inside of a Wal-Mart for a few years. The beef is certainly beef... MOSTLY beef. "Last ingredient"? He told you that and you believed him? Wow. I bet you also believe there's such a thing as "Grade D Beef, not fit for human consumption." Right?
I read this article this morning, as a link on a Taco Bell lawsuit coverage page, and was shocked to learn about the cruelty involved with raising animals for food. It was shocking! In fact, it made me want to leave meat out of my diet for good! Only 36% meat taco meat? Why not just drop it altogether and join the growing vegetarian movement.
Check out this organization's solution to Taco Bell's lawsuit:
http://www.mfablog.org/2011/01/mfa-offers-to-help-taco-bell-solve-its-meaty-problem.html
Just pointing out that the people who say they worked at taco bell are lying when they say they used Grade D Meat, as there's no such thing....The USDA doesn't USE letters to Grade Beef, or any other meat, so, saying its Grade "D" or "F" etc....is something they are making up.
That said, all the extra fiber is why every one has the runs after their Border Run....I mean, the stuff might not be toxic, but, its CHEAP food.
The USDA says it has to be 70% beef to say its Beef....not 100%
The suit says its more like half that.
If the suit is right, they'll have to change the WORDING to "Beef Flavored" or something like that.
This would be like "Buttered Popcorn" at the Movie Theater....it was BUTTER way back when, and then margarine, and then "Buttery Topping", and now, "Golden Topping".....
....and so forth.
Its not like any one (Statistically) will eat differently.....the same ingredients every one is "Discovering" are in the "Meat" have been on Taco Bell's web site for anyone to read....including the fiber content, the oats, etc.
The DIFFERENCE is that the ingredients do NOT have percentages next to them.....and THAT'S the bone of contention, is the PROPORTION.
People who like TB and/or need explosive diarrhea will still eat there as always.
People who avoided them will still avoid them.
The Signs and Ads will change the WORDING, and the "Meat" will stay as pure and wholesome as always.
:)
I eat Taco Bell all the time and never have the runs from their beef or any of their food. You might want to get that checked out! And Taco Bell knows it is "taco meat filling", not 100% beef. The issue at hand is that the FDA says meat filling must have 40% meat and this customer from Cali is saying they did a test and it came up 35% instead. WHO CARES! And that they're calling it meat in the commercial instead of meat filling. Taco Bell is a hug company. I'm sure they know what they're doing as far as it goes with the law.
If it's not meat, then it should be cheaper... Why are they so stingy with it. >:(
I want to sue the Italian government and every Italian restaurant in the USA. You see I just realized many italian meatballs contain over 50% non meat ingredients, such as bread crumbs, onion, green pepper, tomato sauce, milk, and egg, not to mention herbs and spices. How much money can I get for this loose use of the word "meatball", as obviously it's not a "meat" ball at all? Now, with that said, I really would like to sue Taco Bell for discontinuing their delicious green sauce that I have enjoyed since childhood. I cry every time I have to eat a bean burrito with red sauce... ;(
I haven't had anything from Taco Bell since I discovered Chipotle. Now I can't believe I ever thought a rubbery tortilla filled with bland refried beans tasted good.
So, Taco Bell files a counter-suit. They come out with a statement that says "WE START with 100% beef" Uh, A gas station could START with 100% gasoline in the tank, then add 65% water. Could it still be sold as GASOLINE? The USDA says 70% beef is the lowest that can be called beef, and they aren't even close. Beefy, Beef-like, some Beef content...I do not mind eating oats, but at least follow the rules and tell us what we are eating without a legalized lawyer statement about STARTING with beef.
Maybe you should re-read... they start with 100% beef. After adding all the things (which are listed) to make it so delicious, they end up with 88% beef in the final product.
Be more careful with your wording CNN. "The beef containes" paragraph should read "The beef allegedly contains". This is being reported as if the case against Taco Bell has already been won and its been proven that the "beef" is less than 35% beef. Apparently Taco Bell has something to say about this as they've launched a counter-suit.
It's CNN. Would you expect anything else?
I am awaiting the day when they and all food outlets have 0% meat in their foods.
All this article & these comments really did is make me want some taco bell... and I never eat there, lol
I have celiac disease and react badly to eating anything with wheat in it. I've known for a long time that Taco Bell's "taco meat" will trigger one of these reactions. Taco meat made without fillers does not.
I dunno, but when someone markets a product as beef, I would expect it to be beef, not oats. Personally I have nothing against oats as I am a vegetarian or anyone who likes to eat beef or whatever but mislabeling and false advertising is appalling. Shouldn't there be some sort of standard that if you market a product as beef it should contain at minimum 85% beef?
They sell a taco for a dollar and you expect it to have meat in it? Keep dreaming.
Taco Bueno is always my favorite fast food Mexican. Better yet, in San Diego, LA, Los Vegas, and Florida there is a place called Roberto's. Wow, that's a good taco.
So does this mean that taco bell is a good source of fiber? They could really score with an older demographic!
It's almost gluten-free. Take the beef away, and it would be vegetarian.
I've never eaten at a Taco Bell in my life, but that's ok.
I can get "meat-like substance" elsewhere.
Interesting story, lab information and lawsuit. The next time that I go to Taco Bell, I am going to ask.., "Where's the beef ?" If I don't get the right information back, including more beef in my taco.., I am going to leave, until Taco Bell puts more beef in their taco's and other food items and stops a commerical that is not true to the consumers. Remember, there are more fast food restaurants that serve taco's and other beef products on their menu, and their menu items have 100% pure american beef in their products, and not served lightly or in small portions. We should all ask Taco Bell.., "Where's the beef ?" Mike
You can buy your own beef and taco flavoring at the grocery store.
Sad that we are paying $$ for stuff that isn't technically food.
So, 65% less cows die for Taco bell and the tacos are still cheap and yummy. That's saying something. As for the myriad other ingredients: so what? Test the highway air you breath driving, the alcoholic beverages you consume, and your food labels at home. Nothing new. I am craving a taco right now....
A friend of mine once told me that he would never eat at a restaurant where the food is cheaper than cat food. Taco Bell was the first to go...
What was their first clue that Taco Bell was serving mystery meat?
I worked at Taco Bell for two weeks but could not ethically continue serving people in the manner required. The meat to oat ratio should be a relatively minor concern compared to regular health code violations.
-Taco "filling" comes frozen and needs only to be dethawed. A batch is usually about twenty pounds worth and produces at minimum six cups of clear orange grease that must be removed.
-The "steak" meat is grade D, one step removed from dog food; whose ligaments and tendons might at least come from better grade cattle.
Taco Bell also actively trains employees to use underhanded practices like making the food on a value meal smaller so that customers have to buy something more or loading tacos with lettuce to "encourage" additional purchases, especially if a fat guy comes in. Grab a scale and test for yourself.
You are on the internet. Use it. Seriously we live in the information age and no one takes advantage of it.
There is no such thing as grade D beef. You can do a google search of what type of meat Taco Bell uses. They use "select" and "standard" types of meat. These are the same meats you will find in the grocery store.
Most of the factory farms that exist only exist because of the fast food innovation. 4 corporations control 3/4 of all meat in the United States and use that meat to sell to grocery stores and fast food chains. It's the same meat! You are not really getting any better meat at the grocery store unless it is graded as "Prime" or "Choice".
Hello people--its a fast food joint!!!!! of course the food isnt going to be all organic and fresh, if even meat at all......why are people so surprised over this "discovery"????
This is a bad thing?
I have a rule about never eating sauce that comes out of caulking gun.
All of the items are not really that bad. It probably is lower in fat than 100% ground beef. They have been using textured vegetable protein in scholl lunches for years. I guess if they are marketing it as 100% beef than that would be deceptive. Tastes good just like 100% real beef.
Every time my boyfriend and I eat Taco Bell, we get the runs, but we thought it was just greasy Taco Bell gut rumblings. My boyfriend is allergic to oats. Imagine that.
Those of you who think you are safe because you go with the chicken instead, might want to think again! On my last visit to a Taco Bell I ordered several chicken soft tacos. Upon biting into the first, I nearly broke my teeth. The 'chicken' was hard as a rock – and no, I'm not exaggerating. Every piece of 'chicken' in the tacos was this way. My mouth hurt the rest of the night and into the next day. Of course, I contacted their corporate HQ to let them know about my experience. They apologized and offered me coupons. No thank you, I will never frequent another Taco Bell as long as I live.
Soylent Green !
Or ground up drug mules.
Take ypur pick.
I suddenly want a bean burrito with lava sauce & a volcano taco.
I used to work in a production bakery and one time I had a bloody band-aid fall off into a batch of whole wheat scone dough. The dough was the same color as the bandaid and there was like 80 lbs of it in the bowl. I searched for several minutes when I realized that it's highly unlikely that I would ever find it. I decided, it would just be my little secret. I thought for a while that it would just melt into the scone and become an unrecognizable piece of plastic – wrong. Somebody bit into a whole wheat scone the next day and spit out a bloody band-aid. Whoopsy. That's a different kind of filler.
mmmmmmmmm water, isolated oat product, salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, oats (wheat), soy lecithin, sugar, spices, maltodextrin, soybean oil (anti-dusting agent), garlic powder, autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, caramel color, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), natural flavors, yeast, modified corn starch, natural smoke flavor, salt, sodium phosphate.
You forgot to put the meat as the main ingredient.
I heard they are coming out with a line of meat-free entrees which is great! So now even vegetarians can get explosive diarreah.
Stop it. You're making me crave Taco Bell. Ummm.....fourth meal.
Most of the things we think are complete meat or animal product are filled with filler product. Most chicken Nuggets and Patties. That stuff is not going to kill or hurt you. Grow up people. You guys are acting like little children after being told Bacon comes from Pig flesh.
Sheesh ! No doubt! Just think how they'll act when they read the ingredients on a can of Soylent Green.
I long suspected that the "meat" filling probably contained rodent feces and other flavor enhancers but I seriously doubt that it contains something as wholesome as oats. That quaker guy on the front of my oatmeal simply wouldn't allow it. Most likely this is just a typo. Instead of reading "isolated oat product", it should read "constipated goat vomit."
yo no quiero taco bell :-(
I'm a little confused...isn't 'real' beef (like anything else coming from living cells) about ~60-70% water anyway?
Aside from the oats, most of the other ingredients seem to be flavors/dissolved salts/soluble materials that do not account for extra mass or "filler;" everyone knows not to expect the best quality from fast food, but there is nothing appalling here and my guess is this lawsuit is of no merit. I would be more concerned about the "all you can eat" buffets that add baking soda to soups, gravies, mashed potatoes and the like to bloat customers.
Well no wonder I feel sick after eating Taco Bell. I'm allergic to oats. So nice to know now.
Is anyone suprised by this? The price of beef and the resourses alone to produce that amount of meat for what they are selling it for doesn't add up. It's not just TB either chubby Americans. All of the fast food products are comprised of something other then pure, wholesome grains, meats and veggies. DUH.
However, if you are dumb enough to eat it, then you should shut up and eat it. No need for stupid lawsuits!!
These fatties in AL just want money, and rather then getting jobs and working are trying to take the easy route by suing, so obvious.
This is a lot like the BeechNut "Apple Juice" scam in 1982...when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) went after BeechNut after it was revealed that its "apple Juice" for babies was actually nothing more than food coloring, flavoring , water and sugar. No Apples were used at all.
Instead of dumping the product, Beechnut sold thousands of cases of the "apple juice" to dealers the Dominican Republic...who had no problem advertising sugar water as "apple juice" for infants.
That's why we have regulations in the US
Wow, I didn't know it was that full of additives. I haven't had Taco Bell food in 5 years, their "beef products" more like 7 years. This is why I very rarely eat fast food (and when I do, it's Chik-Fil-A or Five Guys). And we wonder why so many people these days have wheat/Gluten allergies.
I used to work at a Taco Bell (many years ago) and the beef was just ground beef then. Seasoning packets were added as it cooked but not nearly enough to make up more than a tiny percentage of the dish. Guess they've changed their ways since then.
It is a little gross to think about the 'beef' not actually being beef. But this is just one way that most fast food is harmful to our bodies. Every thing in moderation works best – especially beef that's not really beef.
Anyone remember the episode in Buffy The Vampire Slayer when she found out the secret to the Double Meat Palaces's food was that there wasn't any meat in the bugers? Life imitating art – or Buffy
the food has decent flavor. my complaint is a total lack of side dishes. even french frys would be welcome.
other than that i wish they could work on the texture of the food a bit, too loose you dont even need teeth to eat
some items like burritos. maybe include a certain amount of whole beans and try to make the ground beef a litttle thicker.
does anyone agree ?
I'll not eat there again. Although at least the filler isn't saw dust. However, I must say that Evil Grin is right about cravings. I never liked or craved apple pie until I joined Weight Watchers. Now I just love it!
"at least the filler isn't saw dust."
It is refined sawdust.
Trade Name: Vitacel Isolated Oat Product
Chemical Name: Oat hull fiber consisting of: Cellulose(70%), Hemicellulose(25%), and Lignin(max 5%)
from: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/gras_notices/GRN000342.pdf
Sooo it's like it's vegetarian??? Ew.
WANT MORE MEAT!!!!!!!!!
(carnivores for the win)
Don't lawyers have anything better to do with their time?
When it seems that every person in America is hungry for someone else's money? And no one wants to take responsibility for themselves or their children? Not likely!
So, what's the the point of the lawsuit...I put a lot of this stuff in my home-made elk-burgers, too. Most of that list is spices, oats, and water...are they going to start suing every cafe in America that serves meatloaf, too? Worthless lawyers...THAT'S what outta be ground up and put in their tacos...but they'd be to bitter to eat, lol.
Meatloaf again?
I'll tell you what, if someone actually did grind up lawyers and put them in a meatloaf, you're probably the one guy I know that could make it taste good! And no, I'm not suggesting cannibalism.... and neither were you. But some days, it seems like a nice hot fire pit is the right place for some lawyers..... (I have a lot of friends that are lawyers.... they're not all bad)
Hey has anyone seen my cat fluffy?
I always thought their "beef" wasn't actually beef. I stopped eating beef a long time ago so now when I do have it I get really sick but I've never gotten sick off of Taco Bell. I usually order chicken stuff but my favorite cheesy gordita crunch only comes with "beef".
Dog food and Gorilla glue? I'm getting hungry...
I don't have any problem eating their taco filling – but I agree with the lawsuit, i.e., it should be accurately labeled. Don't call it "ground beef" when it isn't. An example: McDonald's cannot call their "shakes" milk shakes because they don't contain enough actual milk.
Mexican tacos are not even close to that! some people are amazingly ignorant. have You ever really tried one justaguy? probably not.! too expensive for You i guess You poor ignorant.
I knew it! I knew that the meat wasn't all beef! That's why I don't eat anything from Taco Bell that has "meat".
What do people expect in an 89 cent taco? Beef?
I can't wait until "ALL restaurants are Taco Bell." LOL
Hint: It's from Demolition Man
I would feel better if it was just oats....but, "isolated oat product"?! No thanks.
Why is this an issue?
I mean if you're really sensitive to things, check out the nutrition info. That hasn't changed.
Also, seriously...do Americans need that much meat?
Still disgusting.
Oh, good, fiber!
It's still no Del Taco....
As long as it's not soylent green...
Tb is not the best munchies out there by far but its ok for what it is. But what I want to comment about is that lady doing the interview she looked like she could barely sit on the seat and her legs were crossed incorrectly. You looked ridicious (SP)
Doesn't Taco bell make their tacos just like they do in Mexico? Original recipe I presume.
JustaGuy: I live in Mexico and they have way fresher food than in the states. Everyone shops at local markets where the meat and seafood is brought in that morning, no days of frozen traveling and plant processing like we have in the U.S. Even many families here still know how to raise, kill, and cook the dinner, so it's not uncommon to eat beef, pork, chicken, or turkey that was alive only a few hours ago. Unless you way to make that something negative about Mexico, too. When I tell people here how it's almost impossible to find food (meats, fruits, or vegetables) in the states that wasn't previously frozen or chemically treated they think we're crazy for living like we do. Here, they don't have an "organic" section because everything is organic!
... as if this is a surprise to anyone on the planet?
A report was done years ago quality grading different meat:
Expensive store meat was graded A Dog food was graded as E
Taco bell was graded as F
True story. I think it was a popular consumer magazine.
http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/badmeat.asp
Bingo.
The mere act of walking into a Taco Bell says, "I don't care what's in it as long as it tastes good."
No, it says, "The corporations run everything, and they will extract money from me every way they can, so I'm pretty much screwed no matter where I eat...even at home."
And for those of you who eat the fast food chicken, like chicken nuggest, please know that they are processed with the same fillers. If you put enough seasoning and salt in it, it will taste like whatever you want it to taste like. I bet if you put enough taco seasoning on a boot, it will taste like a taco.
If the beef is only 1/3 beef, what about the cheese and the sour cream? Is there a cow involved somewhere?
Too funny! Glad I have a pallet that is more mature than a 5-year-old's to know not to eat there.
Will someone please explain to me why this suit, which I understand was filed on behalf of a California resident, is being filed in Alabama by an Alabama law firm?
Soylent Green is Oatmeal !!!
Amanda Obney (the PTF) chose that firm, because they're damn good at what they do. It's a Property Fraud case.
Billy, is your last name Bell?
Mr. Moore, it actually isn't Bell. So, you think I am sticking up for Taco Bell? I guess water just gushes out of your taco when you eat it huh? Do you know how to read ingredients? They omitted the meat as the main igredient to show "what else" is included... or possibly to mislead all the fools so they could make a story. Now, come back with some significant reply or remain silent.
OK, how about this, Billy?
When I eat food, even fast food, it's primarily for nourishment. And the number one nutrient I expect to get from a meal is PROTEIN. That is typically the most costly nutrient to include, and the one that means to me that I got my money's worth.
Now, if you had asked me yesterday how much meat was in Taco Bell meat filling, I would have guessed around 85-90%. That's what it LOOKS LIKE, that's what it would be if I made it, and that's what Taco Bell has led you to believe it is for years. And as little of it as they put in a taco, I think they could still turn a profit if it WERE mostly meat.
So when I find out that their meat filling is only about 35% meat, and that therefore the protein content of their food is substantially lower than I have been led to believe, yes I feel that I have been ripped off. It is fraud and it is theft, and the fact that it comes from a fast food joint does not change that.
Get it?
@ "Michael Moore"–it's your own fault if you don't know how to look up nutritional information that is readily available.
Well, sonofgadfly, I am sorry you thought that the beef had loads of protein. You know what they say about assuming things. Order the chicken or steak next time. Also, they don't put enough beef in their tacos to begin with.
No such thing as too much oatmeal.
WATER BOILS AWAY EVERYONE! Meat is the main ingredient and next is water, most of the water boils away and that increases the overall "beef" to higher than 35%. Way to give out false information CNN/Eatocracy.
OK. 40%.
That may be colitis instead, Dave.
I used to love the Bell Burger, but nowdays Taco Bell food gives me the squirts.
This news will send shockwaves through the teenage stoner population. I kind of figure if you eat a restaurant whose highest selling point is, hey, at least we're open at 2am, you pretty much deserve whatever you get.
I can't eat a restaurant. It gives me gas and heartburn.
Along with an uncomfortably full sensation...
Oatmeal does not contain gluten. Lay off the oatmeal.
I knew there were additves in their beef but this is rediculoius. I wonder what would happen if they actually used real beef in their tacos and burritos. A novel idea, huh? Real beef. I wonder if I can give them a combination of real and fake money for their product.
Sure glad I don't eat that crap very often. Now, I will never ever step foot in a Taco Bell. Never. They are probably selling dog meat also, knowing how greedy and unethical this company is. I say to all Americans....BOYCOTT THE TACO BELL CROOKS.
Well that's a stupid idea, if I ever heard one. It tastes good. And when did oats and a little sand become bad for you? Oh that's right, oats lower cholesterol and you eat dirt every time you eat food grown outdoors.
Still tastes good. Lay off the Bell.
That's actually more healthy than 100% beef. No wonder their fresco menu can boast some decent nutritional stats.
I was wondering about that too, do you have to list "natural flavorings" as an ingrediant? What flavor is it? Also, what is natural smoke flavor? Real wood smoke? Just wondering..
See, you've all been 2/3s vegetarian all these years without noticng!
Good point about the oatmeal in the meat but, If people have wheat allergies don't you think they would be concerned about eating the burrito or taco casing? Makes it difficult to eat out anymore.
Oatmeal is gluten-free.
Actually, oats and wheat contain gluten. Rice and corn do not.
Not to mention the hundred extra strange chemical ingredients listed simply as "natural flavors" and "natural smoke flavor".... I guarantee there is nothing natural about it!
Take out ALL the beef and offer a vege-taco. When everyone realizes that there is no difference in taste, they will see how silly all of this is. Taco Bell tastes great, maybe in part because there is LESS beef. But I'm sure you don't want to think about it that way, do you?
They should have a veggie Nachos Bel Grande.
A good idea for TB would be an option to just have the filler in a taco as an option- much like people can order things "Fresco-style". It would give vegetarians a wonderful option! I think it's weird the filler takes up so much of the taco, but they can do something positive with it.
Other ingredients include: Chinese drywall, particle board and Gorilla glue.
@Psyclepath lmao a good chuckle and a good point! two things greatly appreciated thanks. i will still go to taco bell i get the urge every so often. my issue is why are the "meat" portions so small when the actual meat in them is miniscule. i am not a meat eater so thats ok with me. i noticed the change in flavor long ago.
Is this information really that surprising? It's called "fast food" for a reason. Also, CNN, it would be lovely if you could at least hire editors that proofread your articles for redundancy before publishing them to the web.
Silicon dioxide is sand.
seriously? I'll eat oats...but sand?!?!!
Silicon dioxide is used in about 10000000000000 food products, give or take a few.
Where does it say that it isnt REAL BEEF? You people are just making stuff up. When you make taco's at home dont u add water, sauce, salt, pepper, taco seasoning. This is a much ado about nothing.. Also, where does it state that its 100% beef.
My home-made taco recipe doesn't call for oats. Or most of that other stuff. I'm pretty sure my "meat filling" ends up at around 90% beef.
In the future, all restaurants will be Taco Bell. Depressingly, cars will still drive on roads.
Touche' Mr Demolition man!
Yes, but how do you use the three sea shells?
So, that's what happened to the little chihuahua ....
Ahora estoy _en_ Taco Bell !
Seriously...it's $0.69. What exactly did u expect?
I guess that's better than 100% bunk meat, right? At least it's only 35% bunk.
Not much beef in their employees either which more are illegals!
Who cares? It tastes good! As long as it isn't toxic (and I don't mean if eaten for 30 years) then who cares. I don't care if it's oatmeal. Oatmeal is supposed to be good for you and if it tastes like meat, looks like meat, fine with me. Move along to something of importance.
Don't get me wrong I love me some taco bell, but seriously? if you think that "looks like meat" there is no hope for you.
DUH!
I've long suspected that the stuff at Taco Hell wasn't real food ;-) Yet another reason to "run for the border," I guess.
And no wonder that little dog liked it so much, the ingredients sound a whole lot like what they put in dog chow... though Purina uses corn instead of oats ;-)
Some of this is under a dollar. Ain't America great!
autolyzed yeast extract is MSG – MSG is awful!!! Just like all the nacho chips and fake cheese products
autolyzed yeast extract is MSG – MSG has about 8 different names so these companies can "hide" it, causes headaches, hair loss, constricts blood flow, effects muscles in the head area around the eyes, just google MSG – sue the heck out of them and Frito Lay – nothing "natural" in anything Frito Lay!!!
Oh! Well if you can Google it...!
Don't forget that their "beef" also contains illegal immigrant (who fall into the machinery and are never accounted for, or have limbs cut off and it's never reported). Yum!
I only buy into scare stories like that if there's proof to back them up.
Get to it.
For some people it doesn't matter if they *like* it or not. There are thousands of Americans with wheat allergies and/or Celiac Disease. Lots of these people are diligent about asking if things are wheat-free, but I'm sure there are many people that wouldn't even think to ask that of an alleged meat product.
It comes in a shell most of the time...
The hard taco shells are corn, that won't affect anyone with a wheat allergy. But the filling, thats an oat of a different color.
Actually, people with true food allergies know that they have to get the ingredients to *every* item they eat. Just because something SAYS it is one thing doesn't mean it is free from contaminants. For instance, most fast food french fries are coated in ... milk.
sucks to be them doesnt it. If people knew what was in 1/10th the food they ate, they would probably go on starvation diets.
That's why the print disclaimers on the corner of their food wrappers and at the bottom of the receipt. "Warning: Food contains wheat byproducts such as soy lecithin."
As if any self-respecting customer honestly thought they were eating real beef at Taco Bell.....or McDonalds...or any fast food joint! I'm actually relieved it's oats and chemicals instead of the pig hooves and bat eyeballs I thought it was all along :)
I remember years ago the joke was that they were using dog food - but I guess there's too much 'meat' in that....
Good one.
Oats? I want my earthworms!
You may have it right at Taco Bell, but it's evident you know little about McDonald's, Wendy's, or a number of other fast food restaurants that use real beef patties. I've been in the plants that make beef patties for both within past year, so know .
God only knows what the chicken is?
Could be rubber.
Who cares? It's still awfully good. And as long as you can eat it in moderation, it's fine. We get Taco Bell around every other month or so and we love every bit!
Taco Bell should ensure these are whole grain oats, then they can spin it ias healthy food!
Okay, that was funny! Don't forget the "lettuce" and other "veggies" they add in. That makes it even healthier!
but all that sodium takes away from that - you might as well eat a salt lick
Isn't that true! Hubs can't eat shrimp, but a few or he gets the gout, and now he seems to crave it more than ever. Luckily, I have no adversity to any food other than taste preferences.
Gout, ouch. Is he a picky eater otherwise?
Only picky when I cook! He likes plain/common foods, meat, potatoes, broccoli or string beans, pizza, spaghetti, etc. He doesn't like it when I experiment in the kitchen with beef bourgonion (sp), beef wellington, butternut squash, etc.
"Only picky when I cook! "
Pfft, tell him to make his own dinner then :P
Somehow learning that taco bell's meat filling is less beef than oat makes me feel a little better. I've long been leery of the ground beef there. When I go, I usually get chicken products.
I'm so jealous I can't eat there anymore due to the salt. It may not be beef but it sure is hell good. No I don't have refined tastes.
You can have refined tastes and still like the unrefined stuff sometimes. I found quickly that as soon as something is off limits, however much you may not have liked it before, you suddenly crave it intensely. I don't understand it either.
I do love those new spicy crunchy beef burritos...the ones with the fritos in them.
I do too. Those things are addictive.
You wouldn't if you knew more about the conditions of those chickens. I stay completely stay away from Taco Bell and anywhere else you can get an entire meal for less than a dollar.
What entire meal can you get for less than a dollar at Taco Bell or anywhere else?
He is exaggerating a bit, but only a bit. You can get a complete meal for either $2 or $5. In any case, if that is what they are charging, you know it isn't grain fed, antibiotic free, no cruelty, organic chicken.
I ONLY eat chicken sandwiches or fried chicken from places that use ONLY chickens who have committed suicide.
Richard: Best (funniest) comment of the day!
where can you get a whole meal for a dollar???
Um, duh? It doesn't even taste like beef. Thank you for stating the obvious, CNN!
I've been eating these tasty little beefy beasties for over 40 years. Frankly, I'm a whole lot more concerned about the air I'm breathing.
Wow! And you are still alive ??
autolyzed yeast extract is MSG..awful, shame on this Company!!!
What's wrong with MSG? Everyone always complains about MSG, but no one really knows why. There is no empirical proof that MSG has any negative impact on your health at all. Existing studies show AT BEST, it's a placebo effect of near-hysterical proportions. God forbid that the Japanese discovered something that makes food taste better without any ill effects. You mindless sheep need to get control of your own minds, and focus on more important things on the opposite side of the spectrum, like the fact that our country doesnt regulate food health claims and advertising, so food manufacturers can basically lie about things like "Low Sodium' "Low Fat" "A Good Source of Fiber" etc... THATS A FACT. Nuff said.
Mindless sheep. You mean the term that has been endlessly repeated since the 2008 election, til it's become a self-fulfilling example? A parrot? A lemming? You sound like a broken record. You sound like a broken record. You sound like a broken record. You sound...
Nice deflection. Get completely off the point, why don't you? Why bother posting a response?
As a person who works in food industry, i can tell you there are some issues with MSG. The product is used successfully to lower food costs and in most instances works well for that purpose. With that said, there are a number of well documented cases of severe allergic reactions and even death caused by MSG. We took that into consideration when eliminating MSG from all of our products nearly ten years ago,
The only documented cases of severe allergic reactions were in case study test subjects who were administered unreasonably high doses of MSG, AND the results could not be replicated in further tests.There are plenty of other foods and products we consume or use on a daily basis that would do the same to most people. What does that say ? That the stigma attached to MSG in this country illicits such a violent placebo effect? Were talking years of misinformation leading up to this. This is about a selling point, never mind the facts, "If the public opinion swings toward the consensus that MSG is bad, our MSG-free product will sell better." The entire countries of China and Japan consume tons of MSG a year without complaint... When I was a child, a universally-know soup company used MSG in their soups for years without incident, until people started believing the misinformation about it, and the soup maker took out the MSG and doubled the salt (which has its own health risks as we all know).
MSG is only harmful when it makes you wanna overstuff your face.
There is a major problem with MSG. MOST of all processed foods have this in it. FAST foods, cookies, pasties, chips, etc. The problem is that when you eat foods with MSG, the chemical that lets your brain register that you are full and tells you to stop eating, MSG inhibits that chemical so your brain doesn't tell you to stop eating. Thus you keep eating. This is one of the main problems/causes of obesity.
If MSG is so bad for you, why isn't all of Asia suffering from the side-effects? Other than sushi, most Japanese dishes have copius amounts of MSG in it (you can actually buy it at the store in powedered form, "shake it on like salt!")
No its not; they're both used for the same purpose – "creating savory flavors and umami taste sensations" – but they're only similar in composition (lightly at that):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeast_extract
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate
The production methods are completely different; at best, one could say that MSG is the "pure essence" of yeast extract – but it isn't equivalent...
Don't you just love the integrity of Big Corporations? They lie like rugs and the stupid sheep defend them. Fat and ignorant! People who patronize these businesses deserve the garbage they eat.
Yeah, because the best way to educate people is to look down on and criticize them...
I agree– these ingredients don't sound too bad and make me feel better about eating Taco Bell "beef".
I'm with you ~ less beef, more oats ~ where exactly is the problem? If you want 100% beef, don't eat at Taco Bell. I for one will continue to eat there! And a lawsuit over something so stupid should be thrown out of court and the jackass the filed the suit should be jailed! There are real issues out there people ~