# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/21 "2011-01-25T04:12:38Z")
I like it. I’ll keep eating it anyway ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/22 "2011-01-25T04:12:55Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > The Chinese newspaper bit was a just silly Simpson’s reference—I can’t recall all the actual by-products that the lawsuit listed, but oats and soy protein were the first two mentioned… not a silly reference at all. that show is full of truth. ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/23 "2011-01-25T04:29:53Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I love Taco Bell, and couldn’t care less. I ate the 7-Layer burrito for years thinking it had meat in it. It doesn’t. Still tastes good and fills me up. As long as it looks and tastes the same, let them go all veggie. Amen! I was reading through all the nose-in-the-air, “I wouldn’t be caught dead eating the dreck at Taco Bell, amongst the plebs” responses and getting pissed. Nice to know I’m not the only one who likes Taco Bell! (Well, me and the missus, too.) Ain’t nothin’ wrong with TVP. If it means my wife and I can eat dinner for under $5, I’ll take it. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/24 "2011-01-25T04:36:00Z")
The soy and oats may represent an improvement over cheap beef, but what about the “lots and lots of chemicals”? I suppose that too shouldn’t be a surprise, but if I were eating at TB much I’d want to know _which_ chemicals, and in which things. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/25 "2011-01-25T05:44:52Z")
I have always believed that Arby’s "Roast Beef"is made from recycled tires. It is gray in color, and resembles a rubbery substance. Maybe it is made of old chinese newspapers? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/26 "2011-01-25T06:53:01Z")
I care because my sister is allergic to soy. I bet she’d going to be pissed that she can’t eat at Taco Bell anymore. It really is necessary that you list all your ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/27 "2011-01-25T07:16:03Z")
Of course it’s not real beef, it costs less than a pack of gum at 7-11. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/28 "2011-01-25T07:20:41Z")
Heh, I don’t consider Taco Bell food, much less Mexican. Since I live in the land of Taco Cabana (open 24/7!!!), I never eat Taco Bell. When I did, it was because it was slightly more extravagant and nutritious than ramen. As far as their meat being mostly non-meat, you’re surprised? The outrage is that they made TVP so texture-less and without flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/29 "2011-01-25T07:40:42Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I care because my sister is allergic to soy. I bet she’d going to be pissed that she can’t eat at Taco Bell anymore. > > It really is necessary that you list all your ingredients. It doesn’t sound like this is a recent change. If she’s been eating Taco Bell without any problems, why couldn’t she keep eating it. Maybe it’s not enough soy (mostly oats and newspaper) to make a difference, or it’s had whatever element bothers her processed out of it. Or maybe soy doesn’t bother her as much as she thought it did. BTW, they [do](http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredientstatement) list all their ingredients, and make special mention of soy IN CAPITAL LETTERS since it’s a common allergen. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/30 "2011-01-25T07:51:01Z")
> [@NetTrekker](#): > > That would actually make me more inclined to eat at TB. Of course, most people will be outraged to find out they’re actually eating something more healthy than they thought. And look for other chains to start touting “100% real beef” to take advantage of the oinkers. I don’t care if I eat a mix of TVP and beef. What I care about is having a place tell or imply that they’re using 100% beef, rather than a mix of beef and TVP. I’m not allergic to soy, but some people are, and restaurants are supposed to be truthful about what they are serving. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/31 "2011-01-25T07:58:13Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > It doesn’t sound like this is a recent change. If she’s been eating Taco Bell without any problems, why couldn’t she keep eating it. Maybe it’s not enough soy (mostly oats and newspaper) to make a difference, or it’s had whatever element bothers her processed out of it. Or maybe soy doesn’t bother her as much as she thought it did. Or she _has_ been suffering the allergic effects of the soy she’s eaten there, but didn’t realize that she wasn’t 100%, or realized it but was unable to ascribe it to TB. Plenty of people with allergies have unknowingly exposed themselves to their allergens for years, because they didn’t know about the allergies or didn’t know about the allergens. Sometimes these people are astonished at how much better they feel when they finally make the change. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/32 "2011-01-25T08:35:49Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > The soy and oats may represent an improvement over cheap beef, but what about the “lots and lots of chemicals”? I suppose that too shouldn’t be a surprise, but if I were eating at TB much I’d want to know _which_ chemicals, and in which things. Those “chemicals” are food products. Practically everything is a chemical. Kobe Beef is a collection of chemicals. Water is a chemical. Those “chemicals” are posted for everyone to read, some of those chemicals are vitamins that are good for you. I suppose you only want “natural” stuff in your food. Guess what, that probably doesn’t mean what you think it does either. > [@BigT](#): > > I care because my sister is allergic to soy. I bet she’d going to be pissed that she can’t eat at Taco Bell anymore. > > It really is necessary that you list all your ingredients. They do. In every store and online. > [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I don’t care if I eat a mix of TVP and beef. What I care about is having a place tell or imply that they’re using 100% beef, rather than a mix of beef and TVP. I’m not allergic to soy, but some people are, and restaurants are supposed to be truthful about what they are serving. [http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredientstatement](http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredientstatement) [http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/allergens](http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/allergens) How much more forthright do they need to be? Should they tattoo it on all their employees foreheads? Would that satisfy you? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/33 "2011-01-25T08:39:30Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Those “chemicals” are food products. Practically everything is a chemical. Kobe Beef is a collection of chemicals. Water is a chemical. Those “chemicals” are posted for everyone to read, some of those chemicals are vitamins that are good for you. No shit. Really? Why do you think I put the phrase in quotes? Because it wasn’t mine? My _point_ was that there are chemicals and then there are chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/34 "2011-01-25T08:52:10Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > How much more forthright do they need to be? Well, in fairness, they probably shouldn’t describe something on the menu by a word which represents only a fraction of the item. Calling a beef-flavored blend “beef” seems about as forthright as calling an orange-flavored sugar-water drink “orange juice.” ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/35 "2011-01-25T10:34:36Z")
So is TVP actually good for you? Or rather, it’s not worse nutritionally than the beef it emulates? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/36 "2011-01-25T11:09:13Z")
I used to use TVP as an extender and binder in meatloaf. It’s nothing but soy, so it’s as good for you as any other soy product. I don’t use it anymore, but then again I don’t make that meatloaf anymore as I’m no longer on that particular diet. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/37 "2011-01-25T12:25:21Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > How much more forthright do they need to be? Should they tattoo it on all their employees foreheads? Would that satisfy you? Ideally, they would place the nutritional information on the packaging itself, as well as conform to what a lot of packaging does in supermarkets: something that is 65% non-beef will not be labeled as beef, but as a beef product. I don’t find listing information on the web to be useful at all, as few people plan that far ahead with fast food, and I find that most stores go out of their way to hide the in-store variety. I haven’t been to Taco Bell in a while, but, if it’s like most others, the information is either on a wall that is placed in such a way as to make reading it block other people from something, or is in pamphlet form behind the counter, and must be specifically requested. As for my sister, well, she has food insensitivies, too. She had assumed that was the problem. Insensitivies do not tend to get worse with consumption, but allergies do. According to her doctor, every time you have an allergic reaction, antibodies to the allergen increase, as the negative response of the system reinforces the response. Thus allergies get worse. It’s the opposite of the way an allergy shot works, where you are given so little of the substance that the allergic reaction does not occur, and the antibodies decrease. Whether this is backed by science, I do not know, but it’s sufficient for my sister to avoid foods that contain the stuff she is most allergic to. And I couldn’t in good conscience not tell her. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/38 "2011-01-25T12:34:42Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > They do. In every store and online. _Riight._ On their website the listing for “Seasoned Beef” reads: “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 (Processed With Alkali), Silicon Dioxide, Natural Flavors, Yeast, Modified Corn Starch, Natural Smoke Flavor], Salt, Sodium Phosphates. CONTAINS SOYBEAN, WHEAT” Notice that the beef-to-filler proportion isn’t listed. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/39 "2011-01-25T12:56:44Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > Let me introduce you to something you have certainly eaten in your lifetime, though you may not have been aware of it. > > TVP, short for Texturized Vegetable Protein. And? You may not realize, but some of us eat TVP deliberately … I make a lasagne with a TVP ‘meat’ sauce that is indistinguishable from real hamburger crumbles. Literally. Now if it was made of earthworms, or cow assholes, then it would be surprising news. A bit of soy based protein, big meh. Well, given big business maybe the cow assholes might not be too surprising. mrAru like this disgusting sausage I call snout because apparently it is made of the _ahem_ lesser known and used bits of leftover cow. Damned things smell nasty when cooked. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875/40 "2011-01-25T12:59:13Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > And? > > You may not realize, but some of us eat TVP deliberately … I make a lasagne with a TVP ‘meat’ sauce that is indistinguishable from real hamburger crumbles. Literally. > > Now if it was made of earthworms, or cow assholes, then it would be surprising news. A bit of soy based protein, big meh. Well, given big business maybe the cow assholes might not be too surprising. mrAru like this disgusting sausage I call snout because apparently it is made of the _ahem_ lesser known and used bits of leftover cow. Damned things smell nasty when cooked. How would you feel if someone told you that the sauce in your lasagna was soy, but it turned out to be 65% beef byproducts? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taco-bells-ground-beef-is-less-than-35-actual-meat/568875.md?page=3)