# Taco Bell's Ground Beef Is Less Than 35% Actual Meat **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875 "2011-01-25T03:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/181 "2011-01-28T21:37:17Z")
The plaintiffs were probably hoping for an out-of-court settlement where Taco Bell would throw money at them until they shut up. Which probably _would_ have been in the company’s best interests… in the short term. I kind of respect the company for having the balls to fight this loudly and publicly. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/182 "2011-01-28T21:44:15Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Which probably _would_ have been in the company’s best interests… in the short term. Once the story was out there, I think it pretty much required exactly the guns-a-blazing vigorous defense response, especially when the alleged numbers appear to be so completely far off from the real numbers. Hushing it would have just led to consumers believing Taco Bell really _was_ hiding something. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/183 "2011-01-28T23:11:49Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Sure. That’s also the post-cooking numbers. On the other hand, for something as heavily spiced as taco or chili, that’s not too out there. For example my 1.5 oz taco seasoning packet calls for 1 pound of beef. That’s almost 10% seasoning. Plus the water. My 1 oz packet of Ortega calls for 1lb of beef (16 oz) and 2/3 cup of water (5.3 oz). Not sure if you can really compare liquid oz to dry oz but since this is Cafe Society who cares. This ratio gives me 72% Beef. Let’s assume the water reduces to 20% of the original and we are at 86% Beef. I guess we should all be ashamed for serving tacos at home. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/184 "2011-01-28T23:57:21Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The plaintiffs were probably hoping for an out-of-court settlement where Taco Bell would throw money at them until they shut up. Which probably _would_ have been in the company’s best interests… in the short term. I kind of respect the company for having the balls to fight this loudly and publicly. I don’t know it is an interesting situation. There are a million urban legends about what Taco Bell serves and doesn’t serve, And I’m not gonna guess a number, but I have met people who refuse to eat at taco Bell because of the adulterations they believe are in there. There is some tangible benefit to having a court prove that it is indeed beef and stuff. Whether that outweighs the court costs+ the people who will start believing the" TB is screwing us" side regardless from the extra publicity is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/185 "2011-01-28T23:59:14Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Plus the water. My 1 oz packet of Ortega calls for 1lb of beef (16 oz) and 2/3 cup of water (5.3 oz). Not sure if you can really compare liquid oz to dry oz but since this is Cafe Society who cares. This ratio gives me 72% Beef. Let’s assume the water reduces to 20% of the original and we are at 86% Beef. > > I guess we should all be ashamed for serving tacos at home. Probably 10% fat rather than actual beef too. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/186 "2011-01-29T00:05:56Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > From the article:Since this conclusion is also easily arrived at by internet forum users of median intelligence, I expect that the plaintiffs are in for a world of hurt when (and if) this ever actually goes to court. 🙂 I hope taco bell sues the pants off this law firm. I hope they bankrupt them-this is just an attempt to extort money. It is legalized theft. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/187 "2011-01-29T04:25:39Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I hope taco bell sues the pants off this law firm. I hope they bankrupt them-this is just an attempt to extort money. It is legalized theft. I kind of started to wonder if PETA or some other militant, left wing “eco-food-fascist” organizations like the ones who want to outlaw Happy Meals and mandate drive-thru restaurant quotas for neighborhoods (and reminiscent of some of the freaks on this board) are behind this suit? Who exactly is Amanda Obney, the plaintiff anyway? ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/188 "2011-01-29T04:36:45Z")
Apparently, Mrs. Obney is a San Diego California Resident using an Alabama lawfirm to file suit… the clues are starting to add up…Bet she’s a Kalifornia Krunchy. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/189 "2011-01-29T06:40:38Z")
I don’t know if it has been verified, but some articles [describe](http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Taco-Bell-customers-asking-Wheres-the-Beef/TsQhj9FmrkK7Yi0wKwGdjw.cspx) Ms. Obney as “a former manager” of a Taco Bell franchise. If this is true, my money’s on “shit-canned and grinding an axe.” ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/190 "2011-01-29T07:01:37Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Probably 10% fat rather than actual beef too. Well, the question is… Is Beef Fat (Suet) Beef? That’s like arguing over the meaning of the word “is”. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/191 "2011-01-29T08:09:13Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > [Taco Bell fights back.](http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-01-28-taco-bell-ads_N.htm) This is the best response possible. Usually you see a bit more restraint from a corporation during a lawsuit, I can’t imagine one issuing a response like this unless they _know_ they’re in the clear. Fuck 'em up Taco Bell. I’ll always \<3 you. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/192 "2011-01-29T08:42:48Z")
This lawsuit is also a “class action” /extortion case. The law firm wants to get a settlement out of taco Bell, and it will then take 99% of the money for its “efforts on behalf of consumers”. The patrons of Taco Bell will get a coupon, good for 5% off on off Tuesdays in February. The taxpayers (who fund the courts and pay judges salaries) will get the shaft-a big bill. Its all about scumbag lawyers stealing from the taxpayers-nothing new! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/193 "2011-01-29T09:16:07Z")
> [@Terraplane](#): > > This is the best response possible. Usually you see a bit more restraint from a corporation during a lawsuit, I can’t imagine one issuing a response like this unless they _know_ they’re in the clear. > > Fuck 'em up Taco Bell. I’ll always \<3 you. The old “everybody already knows our food us shit” defense. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/194 "2011-01-29T09:17:56Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > The taxpayers (who fund the courts and pay judges salaries) will get the shaft-a big bill. The courts would not be closed if this lawsuit didn’t happen. It isn’t costing the taxpayer anything extra. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/195 "2011-01-29T09:38:04Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Probably 10% fat rather than actual beef too. I think you still get 3-6% fat, even with ground sirloin Which is supposedly the “best” by your standards. I wouldn’t know… the burgers and beef items we got at The Hilton were trimmings of the best Loins and sirloins with fat. They had a very unique meaty taste at Mid Rare, yet had ajuicieness from the fat ratio… flame broiled with alll the trimmings… Lettuce, Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Thin onion rings, cheddar slices, Tomatoes and Pickles. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/196 "2011-01-29T09:40:49Z")
Our burgers were mostly filet and trimmings/fat. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/197 "2011-01-29T12:07:58Z")
I like this part from the [USA Today article about the ads](http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-01-28-taco-bell-ads_N.htm): > [@](#): > > The Alabama law firm Beasley Allen Crow Methvin Portis & Miles said it had the product tested and found it contained less than 35% beef. **The firm would not say who tested the meat or give any other specifics of the analysis.** Is that normal? Cause it’s sounding like “It’s totally true, I know this guy who said it happened to his third cousin’s room mate!” ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/198 "2011-01-29T12:09:15Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The old “everybody already knows our food us shit” defense. Well, the argument isn’t over HOW GOOD the food is, it’s over WHAT the food is, so if that’s their defense, and it happens to be true that the customers were not misled in that case, it’s a valid defense. Incidentally, I like Taco Bell once in a while, but it doesn’t really “hit the spot” for me usually. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/199 "2011-01-29T13:56:10Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The courts would not be closed if this lawsuit didn’t happen. It isn’t costing the taxpayer anything extra. Not true-this bogus act of attempted extortion causes higher costs for other using the courts. And who know how long a judge will string this out? I hope TB countersues for triple damages, and puts that crooked law firm out of business. Nobody goes to TB looking for a gourmet meal-they want cheap, filling, fast food-and that is what they get. I don’t eat there because I don’t like their food; howver, 35 million people like it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/200 "2011-01-29T17:36:30Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The old “everybody already knows our food us shit” defense. Like I said above, I don’t eat Taco Bell, because I think it tastes like shit, but that’s a complete misrepresentation of their defense. Frankly, even though I’ve been defending them throughout this thread, I’m shocked that their ground beef product is 88% beef. That’s a good bit higher than I would have guessed. So it’s more of a “our food is a lot better than you think” defense, if anything. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875.md?page=11)