Taco Bell talks ground beef and that mystery 12%
Taco Bell has updated the FAQ section of its website to discuss in detail exactly what goes into its ground beef. After telling its customers that its taco meat is 88 percent ground beef, the company is talking about the other 12 percent.
“At Taco Bell, providing you and your friends with delicious food at great value is our #1 priority. We also go to great lengths to be open about the ingredients we use, and want you to know the truth. Our seasoned beef recipe consists of 88% Premium Beef and 12% Signature Recipe,” the company says. The FAQ is available at www.tacobell.com/nutrition/foodfacts/BeefQuality/BeefIngredientFAQ .
The 12 percent of ingredients includes Soy Lecithin, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Potassium Chloride, Maltodextrin and Torula Yeast.
“They do have weird names – perfect for tongue twisters!” the company admits. “But these ingredients are completely safe and approved by the FDA. They're common ingredients also found in food items at your grocery store. 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.”
Derek Lowe, a chemist and blogger with a Ph.D. from Duke University, told ABC News that 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.
Sources: Taco Bell, ABC News
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