A Montgomery, Ala., law firm is suing popular fast food eatery Taco Bell, claiming the company uses false advertising when referring to its “seasoned ground beef” and “seasoned beef” on commercials and product labels.
The law firm Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles filed the suit in California federal court on Jan. 21. In a press release, the law firm said Taco Bell’s products do not meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) standards and claims the “majority of the filling is comprised of substances other than beef.”
Instead, Taco Bell’s labels and other advertisements should say “taco meat filling,” according to the law firm. “Our government, through the USDA and FDA, provides definitions, standards and labeling guidelines for ‘ground beef.’ What Taco Bell is representing on their restaurant menu as ‘ground beef’ does not meet any of those definitions, standards and labeling guidelines,” said Beasley Allen attorney Dee Miles in a prepared statement. “This product does not qualify to be considered ‘ground beef’ and many of the ‘seasoning’ ingredients are in fact binders, fillers and coloring. These ingredients increase the overall volume of this product, reducing the actual ‘beef’ content per serving. It is against the law in this country to take someone’s money for a product that is misrepresented. This lawsuit seeks to put a stop to that type of conduct and practice.”
According to the Associated Press, Taco Bell spokesman Rob Poetsch said the company denies any wrongdoing and plans to defend the lawsuit.