Taco Bell's Secret Sauce: Laxatives?

Taco Bell is a fast-food chain that has been rumoured to cause digestive issues in its customers, leading to speculation about the ingredients in its food. While some people have shared humorous anecdotes about their experiences with Taco Bell, others have questioned the presence of laxatives in the food. However, Taco Bell has addressed these rumours by disclosing the ingredients in their beef recipe, which consists of 88% premium beef and 12% signature recipe, including common food additives. According to registered dietician Katherine Tallmadge, these additives are generally considered safe.

Taco Bell's beef is mostly beef

The controversy surrounding Taco Bell's beef has been the subject of much discussion and even legal action. The company has taken steps to address concerns and provide transparency about its ingredients. On its website, Taco Bell states that its seasoned beef recipe consists of 88% premium beef and 12% signature recipe, with all ingredients listed on its ingredient statement page. The company also joined the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) to ensure responsible sourcing of U.S.-grown beef.

While there have been rumours and urban legends about the quality and ingredients of Taco Bell's beef, fact-checking websites like Snopes and sources like Taco Bell itself have refuted these claims. For example, the claim that Taco Bell uses "Grade D" beef, a super low-end cut of meat, was refuted by Snopes, which stated that there is no such grade given by the USDA for beef.

Some of the ingredients in the 12% signature recipe include onion powder, sea salt, salt, chilli pepper, tomato powder, garlic powder, oats, yeast extract, and natural smoke flavour. These ingredients are used to enhance the flavour, texture, and colour of the beef. Other ingredients, like maltodextrin and soy lecithin, are common additives used as thickeners and emulsifiers in many foods.

In summary, Taco Bell's beef is mostly beef, with 88% of the recipe consisting of premium beef. The remaining 12% includes a variety of ingredients that are used to enhance the flavour, texture, and colour of the beef, as well as common food additives. While there have been controversies and lawsuits surrounding the ingredients, Taco Bell has taken steps to address these concerns and provide transparency about its beef recipe.

Taco Bell's beef is not Grade D

There is a persistent rumour that Taco Bell uses "Grade-D" beef in its food. However, this is not true. In the United States, there is no such thing as "Grade-D" beef—the USDA does not use letter grades for beef at all. While the USDA does grade beef for quality, the grades are "Prime", "Choice", "Select", "Standard", "Commercial", "Utility", "Cutter", and "Canner". "Cutter" beef is what most ground beef is made from, and it is the lowest quality of meat that is still fit for human consumption.

Taco Bell has stated that it uses 100% USDA premium beef. While "premium" is not an official USDA grade, it is likely better than "Standard" or "Commercial" grade, which are usually sold ungraded or as "store brand" meat. According to one source, Taco Bell's beef is probably of a higher quality than what is fed to most pet cats.

Taco Bell's beef is pre-cooked, then reheated using boiling water. It is prepared with a blend of seven seasonings and spices, as well as added water to lock in flavour and moisture. The beef is also packaged with a small amount of a food additive to prevent it from clumping.

While some people may still be wary of eating at Taco Bell due to its reputation for causing digestive issues, the beef that the company uses is of a similar quality to that used by other fast-food restaurants and is safe for human consumption.

Taco Bell's beef is not vegan

There are several reasons why Taco Bell's beef is not vegan. Firstly, the beef used by the fast-food chain contains only 36% actual cow flesh, according to a law firm in Alabama that sued Taco Bell for false advertising. The other 64% of the meat consists of ingredients like isolated oat product, emulsifiers, wetting agents, sweeteners, autolyzed yeast extract, silicon dioxide, modified corn starch, natural smoke flavour, and sodium phosphate. While some of these ingredients are derived from plants, they are used to create a meat-like substance, indicating that the product is not vegan.

Secondly, while Taco Bell has introduced plant-based options, such as the Beyond Carne Asada Steak in partnership with Beyond Meat, it is important to note that their classic beef option is not considered vegan. The Beyond Carne Asada Steak is made from plant-based ingredients like vital wheat gluten and faba bean protein and is certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association. However, this is a separate offering from their traditional beef, which contains animal products.

Thirdly, Taco Bell has been transparent about the ingredients in their seasoned beef recipe, stating that it consists of 88% premium beef and 12% signature recipe. While they deny that their beef is "Grade D", they do not claim it to be vegan. In fact, they provide a list of ingredients on their website, which includes beef as the first ingredient. This indicates that their beef option is not suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.

Additionally, while Taco Bell has tested vegan beef in select locations, it is not yet a permanent or widespread offering. The vegan beef, made from soy and pea proteins, was tested in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tustin, California, but it has not been confirmed as a permanent menu item. Therefore, the widely available beef option at Taco Bell cannot be considered vegan.

Lastly, sodium phosphate, one of the ingredients in Taco Bell's beef, is known to have laxative effects. While it is primarily used as a meat preservative, it can also act as a laxative, which may be concerning for individuals with sensitive digestive systems or those who are mindful of their laxative intake. This further reinforces that the beef is not suitable for vegans or those seeking plant-based options.

Taco Bell's beef contains additives

Taco Bell's beef has been a topic of intrigue and curiosity for many consumers, with some speculating that it contains additives or fillers. The fast-food chain has been transparent about its ingredients, revealing that its beef is 88% beef and 12% "signature recipe" or "seasoned beef". This 12% includes additives such as seasonings, oats, and soy lecithin.

The company introduced an explainer on its website in 2011 to address the speculation and provide details about the ingredients in its beef. According to Taco Bell, these additives are safe and approved by the FDA and are common ingredients also found in food items at your grocery store. The company also noted that they do not use monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common flavor enhancer.

Some of the specific additives in Taco Bell's beef include trehalose, a naturally occurring sugar used to improve taste; maltodextrin, a form of mildly sweet sugar; torula yeast, which gives the beef a savory taste; and lactic acid, a safe acid that occurs in almost all living things and is used in small amounts to manage acidity. Other ingredients include modified corn starch, a thickener and moisture retainer; soy lecithin, which binds substances that would otherwise separate; sodium phosphates, for texture; and caramel color and cocoa powder, for coloring.

While some consumers may have concerns about the use of additives, it is important to note that Taco Bell's additives are approved by food safety regulations and used in permissible quantities. Registered dietician Katherine Tallmadge has stated that these additives are "generally considered safe" and are commonly used in processed foods found in grocery stores.

Taco Bell's beef is highly processed

The controversy surrounding Taco Bell's beef began in 2011 when an Alabama law firm filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that its "seasoned beef" contained only 35-36% beef. The company refuted this claim, stating that their beef is 88% beef and providing a detailed explanation of the remaining 12% of ingredients.

The other 12% of ingredients in Taco Bell's beef include onion powder, sea salt, salt, chili pepper, tomato powder, garlic powder, oats, yeast extract, natural smoke flavour, maltodextrin, soy lecithin, lactic acid, cocoa powder, and caramel colour. Some of these ingredients, such as isolated oat product and soy lecithin, are used as cheap "meat extenders" or emulsifiers, while others, like natural smoke flavour and cocoa powder, enhance the colour and flavour of the meat.

While Taco Bell has been transparent about its ingredients, the long list of additives and preservatives in its beef indicates that it is highly processed. The company has also faced criticism for its use of sodium phosphate, which is a meat preservative and an effective laxative.

In addition to the concerns about the highly processed nature of its beef, Taco Bell has also faced scrutiny for its sourcing practices. In 2015, it was reported that Taco Bell, along with its sister companies under the Yum! Brands umbrella, including Pizza Hut and KFC, had not implemented plans for improving their meat sourcing. However, in recent years, the company has made strides towards making its chicken antibiotic-free and joined the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to ensure responsible sourcing.

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