There is an interesting lawsuit out of Alabama where lawyers have filed a class action against Taco Bell over its claim to serve “beef” in its dishes. In fact, the lawsuit alleges, Taco Bell is serving what are called “beef extenders” and not actual beef as defined by the U.S. government.
Taco Bell Corporation spokesman Rob Poetsch responded by saying that “Taco Bell prides itself on serving high quality Mexican inspired food with great value. We’re happy that the millions of customers we serve every week agree. We deny our advertising is misleading in any way and we intend to vigorously defend the suit.” That is an interesting statement. It does not appear to deny that it is serving marginal beef products but that the company never really promised anything more than it serves. Presumably, if the company issued a statement that it was in fact serving “beef” in response to this lawsuit, it could be cited as part of the alleged effort to deceive in advertising (assuming they are not serving “beef” as defined by federal law).
The class action alleges the company is serving what is referred to as “taco meat filling, which is comprised mainly of “extenders” and other non-meat substances, including wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodrextrin, anti-dusting agent, autolyzed yeast extract, modified corn starch and sodium phosphate as well as beef and seasonings. Of course, the company could claim that it is the anti-dusting agents and maltrodrexin that gives it that “high quality Mexican inspired food” taste but it would not actually have most Americans “running to the border.”
The lawsuit alleges that only 36% of what the company serves customers is properly classified as meat.
What is anti-dusting agent, you ask?
Well, I have tried to find out. Assuming this is the same product, one manufacturer indicates that it is helpful in a grinding process:
It is advisable to use as little quantity of Antidusting Agent (“Dedusting BM”) as possible since excessive amount may cause blending problem in subsequent process. The concentrated dye and diluents are mixed together. Then slowly spray the required percentage of Antidusting Agent (“Dedusting BM”) over an hour, continue mixing for additional 1 To 2 hrs. The purpose is to reduce dusting tendency during grinding and to keep manufacturing atmosphere free of dyestuff contamination.
Oils appear used for anti-dusting operation, particularly soybean oil.
As for maltodextrin, it is a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive — a white powder derived from either corn or potatoes.
Update: Greg Creed, president of Taco Bell, has issued this statement:
HenMan,
It’s very, very good … don’t add cheese.
Swarthmore mom,
That’s good to hear. I like the cake because it’s so moist and easy to make.
Elaine, My daughter made it,too. It was delicious.
HenMan,
Here’s a link to my my Turley tort/torte recipe. It’s delicious! Ask Blouise.
http://jonathanturley.org/2010/12/19/a-turley-tort-er-torte-for-the-holidays/
“high quality Mexican inspired food
but if you look you’ll never see hispanics eating there
Elaine-
“beef sue-sages”
Outstanding! How about a “tort” for dessert? (This is a legal blog, after all.)
Not that I eat fast food all that often, but I’m a big fan of “Good Times,” which as last I heard is limited to Colorado and Wyoming.
Honestly, white-tail makes the best burgers I’ve ever had, and if I’m going out I want something better than fast food.
I don’t eat fast food so I guess I’m out of the class-action.
It doesn’t surprise me that with all those carefully crafted words, Rob Poetsch never actually mentions beef. Just another corporate snow-job.
I might give 5 Guys a try considering SwM (who I trust)recommends it … and I take note she wrote “occasionally”.
I can now nosh on the Taco without guilt. Seems like it might actually be healthier than a hamburger.
Swarthmore Mom:
5 guys is very good, especially the fries. I thought they were a franchise?
Very good Elaine! Maybe another new dish could be called litigation chile!
I just heard that Taco Bell has a brand new product on its faux food menu: beef sue-sages.
I don’t know the size of the “Tacos” at your local Taco Bell ,but here in Jersey you have to but at least five tacos to equal one taco in my estimation that’s how small they are.
Or Vegans by Proxy…
Forced Veggans….
They’re just thinking outside the bun.
rafflaw,
It’s not just Taco Bell that uses a lot of non-meat ingredients in their meat products. Have you read Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma?” In the book, Pollan lists the thirty-eight ingredients that go into the making of Chicken McNuggets. He wrote that thirteen of the ingredients are derived from corn–and that McNuggets also contain “several completely synthetic ingredients, quasi-edible substances that come not from a corn or soybean field but from a petroleum refinery or chemical plant.”
Note: The section of my comment in quotes can be found on page 113 of the paperback edition of Pollan’s book.
So much for the YUM!Brand corporation – I try not to eat corporate food except for an occasional Five Guy’s hamburger.
When you go to Taco Bell, I think you pretty much know this going in. But, we humans are good at suspending our disbelief, and, like eating hot dogs of unknown providence, we embrace the fiction and pray to whatever gods we hold dear that this thing we’re cramming into our heads doesn’t kill us.
In that respect, eating at Taco Bell really isn’t all that different from a Keanu Reeves movie.
What the hell is an “anti-dusting” agent? Is that like Pledge? Or Swiffers?? I think Taco Bell is in for a big hit here. Even if the court dosen’t agree on the false advertising claim, the publicity will be a killer for them. And if they are putting that stuff in their tacos and calling it beef, then they deserve what they get!