April 29, 2014— -- After Taco Bell started telling the public its beef is 88 percent beef, customers were left to wonder, what's the other 12 percent?
They need wonder no more.
Taco Bell, owned by Yum! Brands, introduced in 2011 an explainer on its website to describe what the other 12 percent is.
The company states on the website that they "do have weird names," but they're all "safe and approved by the FDA."
"They're common ingredients also found in food items at your grocery store," the company states. "Each ingredient helps make our Seasoned Beef taste great. Many of them are items you might use at home such as salt, peppers, and spices. Ingredients like oats and sodium phosphates help make sure the texture is right."
The company also noted it uses only USDA-inspected, "100 percent premium real beef" and no monosodium glutamate, or MSG, which is a flavor enhancer.
"We believe it's important that consumers make informed decisions about what they eat, and so for many years have provided details of our ingredients on our website," Rob Poetsch, Taco Bell spokesman, told ABCNews.com.
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Derek Lowe, a chemist and blogger with a Ph.D. from Duke University, said he sympathizes with people who are surprised these ingredients are food, but he said he has "no patience" with the general argument, "I can't pronounce it, so I won't eat it."
"There's nothing on this list I have a problem eating," he said.
Here are some of the ingredients and what Taco Bell has to say about them:
1. MALTODEXTRIN
"It sounds weird, but it's actually a form of mildly sweet sugar we use to balance the flavor. You may have had it the last time you had a natural soda," Taco Bell says.
2. TORULA YEAST
"This is a form of yeast that gives our seasoned beef a more savory taste," the company says.
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3. MODIFIED CORN STARCH
"Actually, it's derived from corn, which is a food staple in Mexican culture as well as many others. We use a small amount as a thickener and to maintain moisture in our seasoned beef. It's common in many foods like yogurt," Taco Bell states.
4. SOY LECITHIN
"When you prepare as much seasoned beef as we do, you don't want it to separate. That's what soy lecithin does. It helps (with moisture) to bind substances that would otherwise separate -- like oil and water. It's a common ingredient in many grocery staples, like chocolate bars and salad dressings," says Taco Bell.
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5. SODIUM PHOSPHATES
Taco Bell says it uses this "to help make sure our seasoned beef is the right texture."
"They're also commonly found in deli items, cheeses, coffee drinks and desserts," the company says.
6. LACTIC ACID
Taco Bell says, "This safe acid occurs in almost all living things, and we use a very small amount to manage the acidity to get the right flavor."
7. CARAMEL COLOR AND COCOA POWDER
Taco Bell says the caramel color "is caramelized sugar, which is a commonly used food coloring (also found in cereals and pancake syrup). Cocoa Powder doesn't add any flavor to our recipe, but it helps our seasoned beef maintain a rich color."
8. TREHALOSE
Taco Bell: "It's a naturally occurring sugar that we use to improve the taste of our seasoned beef."
FAQs
Here's how Taco Bell says the beef is made: "We start with USDA-inspected quality beef. Then add water to keep it juicy and moist. Mix in Mexican spices and flavors, including salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, sugar, garlic powder, and cocoa powder.
What is in Taco Bell mystery meat? ›
Here's how Taco Bell says the beef is made: "We start with USDA-inspected quality beef. Then add water to keep it juicy and moist. Mix in Mexican spices and flavors, including salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, sugar, garlic powder, and cocoa powder.
What are the ingredients Taco Bell seasoned beef? ›
At its website, Taco Bell lists the following as the comprehensive ingredients in its “seasoned beef” mixture: “Beef, Water, Seasoning [Cellulose, Chili Pepper, Onion Powder, Salt, Oats (Contains Wheat), Maltodextrin (Corn, Potato, Tapioca), Soy Lecithin, Tomato Powder, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Sea Salt, Yeast Extract ( ...
What does Taco Bell use for meat fillers? ›
Many of them are items you might use at home such as salt, peppers, and spices. Ingredients like oats and sodium phosphates help make sure the texture is right." The company also noted it uses only USDA-inspected, "100 percent premium real beef" and no monosodium glutamate, or MSG, which is a flavor enhancer.
What percentage of Taco Bell meat is actually 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. Also, addressing a widespread rumor, Taco Bell beef is not grade D beef, according to the website.
What is mystery meat made of? ›
Mystery meat is a disparaging term for meat products that have an unidentifiable source, typically ground or otherwise ultra-processed foods such as burger patties, chicken nuggets, Salisbury steaks, sausages and hot dogs.
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.
Is pink slime still used? ›
The product is regulated in different manners in various regions. In the US, the product is allowed to be used in ground beef, and it can be used in other meat products such as beef-based processed meats.
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.
What is grade D meat? ›
Beef given a D grade is typically used for ground beef and further processed products. However, with the D1 grade, whole muscle cuts may be used in low-cost food service enterprises. E Grades: The E grade is reserved for mature bulls or youthful bull carcasses showing pronounced masculinity.
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.
What is the lawsuit against Taco Bell meat? ›
NEW YORK — Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, faces allegations of false advertising and deceptive trade practices after a customer filed a class action lawsuit against the company for serving products with half the filling as pictured in ads.
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 is the other 12 percent of Taco Bell meat? ›
Here are some of the added ingredients and what the company says they do: Oats — “The very small percentage of oats is used to help our seasoned beef stay moist.” Cellulose — “You'll find it in everything from cheese and vitamins to bread and pasta.” Artificial Flavor — “Added to enhance the taste.”
Does Taco Bell serve 100% beef? ›
And that's the case with our food. Taco Bell is one of the largest beef and fresh produce purchasers in the U.S. We serve 290 million pounds of 100 percent USDA premium ground beef each year, and over 190 million pounds of produce! And as part of Yum!
When did Taco Bell change meat? ›
In the early 90's Taco Bell changed the meat flavors it had since the 60's into a "newer" form. Around the same time, they changed to a new taco shell.
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 ...
Does Taco Bell use lab grown meat? ›
Instead of killing a live animal, cells are harvested from one to grow the meat. Royal's theory was debunked by PolitiFact earlier this year after a woman on Instagram spread unfounded claims that popular fast-food restaurants, including KFC, Taco Bell, and Wendy's, were using lab-grown meat.
