Is it true that Taco Bell uses grade D meat in their food?

Question

I heard this from a chick that I used to know, and she said she asked them for a nutrition guide to their food, and of course in it she said it stated that instead of grade A they use grade D meat..... am I the only one that has heard this before?

Answer 1

As many others have said, there is no such thing as letters for beef (or pork or lamb for that matter.) There are two kinds of grades put on beef and they are quality and yield grades. Quality grades are (in order from best to worst) Prime, Choice, Select, standard, Commercial, Cutter, and Canner. These are actually optional grades and the packing plant decides if they want the carcasses to be quality graded. The other type of grade is yield grade. Yield grade is (from best to worst) 1 to 5. this is mandatory and must be done on each carcass.

A quality grade is a composite evaluation of factors that affect palatability of meat (tenderness, juiciness, and flavor). These factors include carcass maturity, firmness, texture, and color of lean, and the amount and distribution of marbling within the lean. Beef carcass quality grading is based on (1) degree of marbling and (2) degree of maturity.

In beef, yield grades estimate the amount of boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from the high-value parts of the carcass--the round, loin, rib, and chuck. However, they also show differences in the total yield of retail cuts. We expect a YG 1 carcass to have the highest percentage of boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts, or higher cutability, while a YG 5 carcass would have the lowest percentage of boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts, or the lowest cutability. The USDA Yield Grades are rated numerically and are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Yield Grade 1 denotes the highest yielding carcass and Yield Grade 5, the lowest.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as Grade D meat. I think there used to be a Grade A and AA, but now the grades are Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter and Canner grades (all are edible, but the last few aren't very tasty and are like chewing on an old boot -- good for dog food and feeding to the US Military)(that wasn't a slam, by the way... In the Navy, we got boxes stamped "Rejected by Pennsylvania State Penitentary") I'm willing to believe Taco Bell uses an inferior grade of meat in their food, just because all they serve is ground beef, and only in a few things will there be "fajita" meat, which should be decent flank steak but is probably something less savory that has been tenderized or processed.

Answer 3

Yes, I've heard this before but NO, it's not true. The USDA doesn't even use letters to grade meat. (see link below).

A cow is a cow is a cow...some cuts are better than others... and Taco Bell certainly isn't using filet mignon for their ground beef, BUT Taco Bell is a big company with lots of cash and thousands of customers so it's not really in their best interest to deal out sub-par meat and risk a lawsuit. Their meat is beef, it's fresh, and it's fine, but maybe fatty.

Answer 4

Urban legend. No such grade of meat exists. What's so sad is that people would prefer to think this than to know the truth.

Answer 5

As president of taco bell I am offended that you say that we use grade D meat! We use only grade A horses in our products!

Answer 6

It is not possible. Beef is graded by Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, or Utility. Poultry is graded A, B, and C is the lowest.

Answer 7

i have heard that once it was tested and their meat was made from 7 or 8 different animals.

Answer 8

Yes it is and they don't call it "Taco Hell" or "Toxic Hell" for nothing. If it makes you feel any better it is 1 grade above what they give to pigs. Enjoy your dinner.

Answer 9

Probably. Although I will never eat there again. I got food poisioning from there that knocked me on my a$$!

Answer 10

My friend used to work there. that's what he said too ...Who know's it might be true.