It is a rare day when Paul or I indulge in fast food. It pretty well only happens while we're on vacation. Here's how it works . . . I won't go to McDonalds or Burger King while here at home but in March when I'm in California you just know I'll grace an In-N-Out with my presence.
When in Rome, baby, when in Rome . . .
My issue with fast food is with the poor quality of the food itself - I hate that everything is s overprocessed and chock full of chemicals and junk. If I want to eat crap I can whip it up at home - and know what went into the plate of artery clogging crap I serve.
There is one form of fast food crap that we NEVER eat, regardless of where we are - Taco Bell. Happily there aren't many Taco Bells in Canada. We call their'Mexican' (PLEASE!) food that is served up on a plastic tray dog food on a taco.
Bleech
It turns out that their food isn't even good enough for said canines however.
U.S. law firm sues Taco Bell, claims 'beef' label misleading
Before you bite into that beef taco, you might want to clarify the definition of “beef.”
An Alabama law firm Beasley Allen has filed a class action lawsuit against Taco Bell, claiming the restaurant chain misleads its customers about what’s actually in its tacos.
According to Alabama’s WSFA 12 News, the lawsuit alleges Taco Bell’s beef doesn’t meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s definition of the word, claiming it contains only 36 per cent meat.
The rest, it claims, is made up of wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodextrin, anti-dusting agent, autolyzed yeast extract, modified corn starch, sodium phosphates, and other non-meat “extenders.”
In a prepared statement issued to the news station, the company responded by saying: “Taco Bell prides itself on serving high quality Mexican inspired food with great value.... We deny our advertising is misleading in any way and we intend to vigorously defend the suit.”
By USDA definition, “beef” is the “flesh of cattle.” Duh, you might think. But the rules are more complicated when it comes to labelling “ground beef” and “taco filling.”
The USDA requires “taco filling” to contain only a minimum of 40 per cent fresh meat, WSFA reports.
Something to chew on, indeed.
Did anyone else choke over this line: Taco Bell prides itself on serving high quality Mexican inspired food with great value . . .
Indeed.
The thing about this article that I find truly frightening is that the American government has set a standard of 40 % for the amount of real meat in taco fillings. 40 %? As far as standards go that is just dismal.
Dogs eat better than that.
As reported by Alabama's channel 12 news... We are right on top of this one.
What do you expect for 59cents? Which could explain the obesity rate in Alabama.
Thanks for the local news report!
Posted by: sandi @the whistlestop cafe | January 24, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Of course it was in Alabama Sandi - noticed that immediately. LOL
Posted by: JDeQ | February 01, 2011 at 06:40 AM