It’s probably politically incorrect to say it, but I don’t have a beef with Taco Bell’s tacos. Although I was a smidge disappointed to read that one of the ingredients is, well, sand. That was a tiny shock. Silicon dioxide makes the beef mixture easier to pour and its used all the time in things like table salt, but still …
Despite the sand revelation, Yo quiero Taco Bell pretty much all the time. Maybe its the maltodextrin (starchy stuff that adds flavor) or the soy lecithin (which keeps the fat from separating from the beef mixture). Try as I might, I just can’t get outraged about a lawsuit claiming that there’s only 35 percent real beef in that little crisp crescent of happiness.
As long as it’s Chihuahua free, I don’t care. C’mon. Nobody but a complete lunatic would expect quality beef and lots of it for 89 cents. Although, it should be noted (mostly so I don’t get sued, too) that Taco Bell’s president, in a countersuit, says there’s 88.28 percent real beef in those tacos. Whatevs.
Greg Creed said he intended to vigorously defend the quality of our products.
While he probably intends to do this with lots of very official looking documentation and power points and whatnot, may I suggest that he simply comp the jury’s lunch one day and, if he’s smart, rely heavily on the Nachos Bell Grande without skimping on the velvety cheese sauce.
Case dismissed!
Of course, this is all blasphemy to the fine folks who want to save us from our miserable idiot palates. We line up for anything under a buck and waddle away with our bliss on a cardboard plate. I get that all those additives make us want to come back for more. Even the sand, maybe. But, I repeat, what do you want for 89 cents?
And I know that the real problem is that poor people rely on these cheap fast foods and they get fat and unhealthy because of it and their obesity-related health problems contribute to an already overburdened health care system. But, seriously, have you eaten the Gordita? Because if you haven’t, talk to the puffy, sodium-inflated hand. It’s fabulous.
And now we read that people in Vermont (motto: “Ben & Jerry’s is good for you!”) are mad because there’s no real maple syrup in McDonald’s new Fruit and Maple Oatmeal. It’s just never enough for some people. McDonald’s put OATMEAL on its menu, and now they’re getting kicked by the maple syrup lobby (which I imagine to be very dark and sticky indeed).
I think it’s terrific that McDonald’s has more healthy food options than ever before because I’m really worried about the rest of y’all. Same with Taco Bell, which has had a lower-fat version of its main menu items for years. But every time I step up to order the Fresco Chicken Soft Taco, no sauce, it comes out sounding like One Volcano Box to go.
Funny how that happens.
Celia Rivenbark is the author of six humor collections, including “You Cant Drink All Day If You Don’t Start in the Morning.” Visit www.CeliaRivenbark.com for more.
FAQs
Taco Bell actually addresses its use if silicon dioxide in the "Food Facts" section of its website under the question, "I heard a rumor that there's sand in your taco meat?" It then goes on to explain that silicone dioxide is "a safe, common food ingredient" that's "primarily used in food to prevent ingredients from ...
Does Taco Bell use real ground beef? ›
We use 100 percent USDA premium beef in our seasoned beef. We prepare it much the same way you prepare taco meat at home: after simmering, it is drained of excess fat and pre-seasoned with our signature blend of 7 authentic seasonings and spices.
Was there horse meat in Taco Bell? ›
The British Food Standards Agency said Taco Bell's products contained more than 1% (pdf) horse meat. “We apologize to our customers and take this matter very seriously as food quality is our highest priority,” a spokesman for the chain said.
How much of Taco Bell meat is filler? ›
Taco Bell's primary meat mix consists of 88% USDA-inspected premium real beef. The remaining 12% is made up of a signature recipe that includes water, spices, and a blend of oats, starches, and other ingredients to enhance the flavor, texture, and moisture.
Does Taco Bell meat have filler in it? ›
It then is slow-cooked and simmered with proprietary seasonings and spices to provide Taco Bell's signature taste and texture. Our seasoned beef recipe contains 88% quality USDA-inspected beef and 12% seasonings, spices, water and other ingredients that provide taste, texture and moisture.
Does Taco Bell use goat meat? ›
Taco Bell is revealing what's in its beef, and it turns out it's actually mostly beef. The fast-food chain's recipe contains 88% beef and 12% "signature recipe," according to a new webpage posted by Taco Bell.
What is McDonald's meat made of? ›
Here are the facts: All of our burger patties in the U.S. are always made with 100% USDA-inspected beef. That's the only ingredient: 100% real beef. Our patties contain no preservatives or fillers, and the only thing we ever add is a touch of salt and pepper when the patties are sizzling hot on the grill.
What percentage of Taco Bell meat is actually meat? ›
But Taco Bell shouldn't be defensive about the fact that its seasoned beef is only 88 percent beef. It should be proud.
What food has horse meat? ›
Horse meat is used in a variety of recipes: as a stew called pastissada (typical of Verona), served as steaks, as carpaccio, or made into bresaola. Thin strips of horse meat called sfilacci are popular. Horse fat is used in recipes such as pezzetti di cavallo.
What is the red meat in tacos? ›
Now, bistec is basically a translation for beef steak. in general, that can be either a chuck, it can be a sirloin, it can be pretty much any kind of meat. But here in the valley, it's mostly chug or sirloin, depending on which taqueria you go to.
“Our beef is 100% USDA inspected, just like the quality beef you buy in a supermarket and prepare in your home. It is then slow- cooked and simmered in our unique recipe of seasonings, spices, water, and other ingredients to provide Taco Bell's signature taste and texture.”
Does Taco Bell have fake meat options? ›
Taco Bell's newest creation is instead filled with a “proprietary” vegan beef (made from pea protein and soy), plus “cool vegan blanco sauce and warm vegan nacho sauce.” The chain has long been known as one of the few big fast-food operations where vegetarians could easily eat, but this is the company's first fully ...
What does Taco Bell add to their meat? ›
Cocoa powder and caramel color (caramelized sugar) are both on the ingredient list, and according to Taco Bell (via ABC News) they're only there to give the meat a little added color richness. The saying goes that the first bite is with the eye, and that's true in the fast food world, too.
Does Taco Bell have MSG? ›
We do not use MSG in any Taco Bell specific products.
What does Taco Bell put in their meat? ›
Here are the ingredients used for their beef - Beef, Water, Seasoning [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 ( ...
What does Taco Bell put in their crunchy tacos? ›
A crunchy corn tortilla shell filled with your choice of protein topped with our signature hot sauce, fresh lettuce and cheddar cheese.
Is silica in meat? ›
Silicon content
High silicon values were observed in breakfast cereals and vegetables, while low values were found in meat and dairy products.
Is silica in taco seasoning? ›
Rachel Ray talked about how you should make your own taco seasoning because the stuff you buy in stores is full of sodium (and it has silica in it, which is like the little packet found in new shoes that says DO NOT EAT!). So full of flavor.
