Consumer Law

Law Firms Sue Taco Bell, Ask Court to Determine: Where's the Beef?

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Contending that the purported “seasoned beef” or “seasoned ground beef” in a number of Taco Bell menu items isn’t as meaty as it sounds, consumer law firms have filed a federal suit in California this week asking for a court determination on the issue.

Naming Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell Corp. as the sole defendant, the would-be class action seeks what it calls accurate labeling, corrective advertising and attorney’s fees and costs, according to WSFA and a linked copy of the Central District of California complaint.

While the chicken and carne asada steak in products served by the fast-food restaurants are what they say they are, the so-called “seasoned beef” and “seasoned ground beef” aren’t, the suit alleges:

“In reality, a substantial majority of the filling is comprised of substances other than beef, and is required to be labeled and advertised as ‘taco meat filling.’ “

Similarly, advertised “seasonings” are in fact “binders and extenders such as ‘isolated oat product,’ ” which “are not added for flavor but rather to increase the volume of the product,” the suit says.

When contacted by WSFA 12 News for comment, Taco Bell said it’s working on a response to the lawsuit.

Hat tip: Birmingham News.

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