Lawsuit Disputes Taco Bell's "Ground Beef" Claims

An Atlanta Law Firm, Beasley Allen, has filed a consumer rights class action lawsuit against Taco Bell claiming that what Taco Bells advertises and serves as "Ground Beef" can't legally be marketed and sold that way because it doesn't contain enough 'real beef.'

In their words, the lawsuit:

"challenges Taco Bell's practice of representing to consumers that its restaurants serve 'seasoned ground beef' or 'seasoned beef' filling in its products, when in fact a substantial amount of the filling contains substances other than beef. The lawsuit seeks to require Taco Bell to properly advertise and label food items, and to engage in a corrective advertising campaign to educate the public about the true content of its food products.

"According to standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the meat filling in Taco Bell's products does not meet the minimum standard requirement to be labeled and advertised as 'beef,' seasoned or otherwise."

[full lawsuit (pdf)] & [Law firm's press release]

Taco Bell has responded, via spokesman Rob Poetsch, but not directly denied the claims set forth in the suit:

"Taco Bell prides itself on serving high quality Mexican-inspired food with great value. We’re happy that the millions of customers we serve every week agree. We deny our advertising is misleading in any way and we intend to vigorously defend the suit."