I've Got A Beef with Taco Bell

I think deep down, we all knew this announcement was just a matter of time.  --  Oh, Taco Bell.  I still love you!

Taco Bell is Using False Advertising When it Calls Its Food 'Beef,' According to Lawsuit
By Philip Caulfield (taken from The New York Daily News)

Where's the beef? Not at Taco Bell, apparently.

A law firm is claiming that the fast food chain is using false advertising when it says its Mexican delicacies are filled with "ground beef" or "seasoned ground beef."

In fact, the lawsuit claims, the "taco meat filling" used by Taco Bell contains is only about 35% beef, with binders, extenders, preservatives, additives and other agents making up the other 65%.

The class-action lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in California by the Montgomery, Ala., law firm Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles on behalf of a California woman, Amanda Obney.

Obney isn't looking for money, though.

She wants the court to order Taco Bell to be honest with customers about what is in its tacos, chalupas and other dishes.

"We are asking that they stop saying that they are selling beef," the law firm said.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture's website, "ground beef" or "chopped beef" consists of chopped fresh or frozen beef with or without seasoning, should not contain more than 30% fat and should not contain water, phosphates, binders or extenders.

The lawsuit's claim that Taco Bell's "seasoned beef" contains the forbidden additives is backed up by the restaurant's ingredients list on its website, which says the "seasoned beef" in a Beefy Crunch Burrito contains water, sodium phosphates, soy lecithin, modified corn starch, and anti-caking and anti-dusting agents, among others ingredients.

Taco Bell president and chief concept officer Greg Creed said in a statement that the company uses 100% USDA-inspected beef and simmers it in a blend of seasonings to give it the "signature Taco Bell taste and texture."

"We are proud of the quality of our beef and identify all the seasoning and spice ingredients on our website," the statement said. "Unfortunately, the lawyers in this case elected to sue first and ask questions later -- and got their 'facts' absolutely wrong. We plan to take legal action for the false statements being made about our food."

pcaulfield@nydailynews.com, with News Wire Services
Origional Article: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/01/25/2011-01-25_taco_bell_is_using_false_advertising_when_it_calls_its_food_beef_according_to_la.html