Earlier this week a class action lawsuit was filed against Taco Bell, alleging that their beef is actually only 36% meat and the rest is “extenders” and other non-meat substances. Taco Bell’s President and Chief Concept Officer Greg Creed has released a new and more in-depth statement that goes into detail about the percentage of ingredients in the recipe, like how it contains 88% USDA-inspected quality beef. [More]
food
![The Blueberries In Your Food Could Be Fake](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/getsomeblueberries.jpg?w=240&h=140&crop=1)
The Blueberries In Your Food Could Be Fake
Here’s something to choke on. The “blueberries” inside that muffin or cereal you love so much might not actually have ever been blueberries. Instead, they are a composite of sugars and starches that have been dyed blue. Check the label. If it says “blueberry flavored chrunchlets,” for instance, those are actually sugars, soybean oil, red #40 and blue #2. Reached for comment, Kellogg’s told NPR that the stuff is “labeled in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.” Well that takes care of that. If it’s not illegal and is profitable, do it. [More]
![Kraft Store Machine Makes Menu Recommendations By Scanning Your Face](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/mealplanner.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Kraft Store Machine Makes Menu Recommendations By Scanning Your Face
Kraft showed off a concept device as this week’s National Retail Federation Show that scans your face to determine your gender and age group and makes a corresponding menu recommendation. It’s called the “Meal Planning Solution.” Freaky deaky. No doubt that if this thing ever actually hits stores, it won’t be long before someone makes a video demonstrating how it’s racist. Just see what happened to HP’s webcam, and the Kinect… [More]
![Boll Weevils Found In School Lunch Noodles, Removed, Then Noodles Served](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/noodles.jpg?w=240&h=135&crop=1)
Boll Weevils Found In School Lunch Noodles, Removed, Then Noodles Served
An Ohio school district sent a letter home to parents informing them that cafeteria staff had found boll weevils inside bags of dried eggs noodles that were to be served for lunch. The workers removed the weevils, boiled the noodles, and later served the noodles. [More]
![Dine And Dashers On The Rise, Wearing Ties](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/thesmile.jpg?w=240&h=183&crop=1)
Dine And Dashers On The Rise, Wearing Ties
In the last year the NYPD says there was a 20% increase in the number of “chew and screwers” – customers who run up a restaurant or bar tab and then duck out before paying it. And it’s not just the usual “live fast die young crowd,” entire families and guys with Monopoly mustaches are getting in on the action. [More]
![Tastykake Empire In Danger Of Crumbling](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/krimpets.jpg?w=240&h=166&crop=1)
Tastykake Empire In Danger Of Crumbling
Tastykake, manufacturers of numerous kinds of prepackaged snack foods, could be forced to sell or merge after a newly opened factory failed to generate the hoped-for savings. Krimpets, Kandy Kakes, Koffee Kakes, and Kreamies could all be put on the chopping block. And I don’t know if you’re aware, but those kinds of snacks do better in your tummy than on a chopping block. [More]
![Drinking More Makes You Exercise More](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/workingout.jpg?w=240&h=160&crop=1)
Drinking More Makes You Exercise More
Scientists aren’t sure why but research shows that people who drink more are more likely to exercise longer and more intensely. [More]
![Fungus Threatens To Make The Bananas You Eat Extinct](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/rotbanana.jpg?w=240&h=180&crop=1)
Fungus Threatens To Make The Bananas You Eat Extinct
Do you like to eat bananas? Better get your fill in. A horrible fungus called “Tropical Race Four” is threatening to kill off the one variety that everyone eats, the Cavendish. [More]
![We Are Deluded About Our Own Obesity](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/1-4-2011-4-26-51-pm.jpg?w=235&h=157&crop=1)
We Are Deluded About Our Own Obesity
The Consumer Reports National Research Center recently surveyed a national sample of 1,234 U.S. adults about their eating habits and how they maintained a healthy diet. The results? We think we’re eating healthier than we are, and we’re in denial about our own obesity. [More]
![NY Regulates Tipping For First Time](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ourtips.jpg?w=240&h=207&crop=1)
NY Regulates Tipping For First Time
The New York Department of Labor has issued rules on what until now has walked a gray line between custom and law: the tip. [More]
![Hot Pockets Is Now Its Own Food Group](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/hotpocketssuper.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Hot Pockets Is Now Its Own Food Group
Reader Chris spotted this sign in a Keli’s supermarket yesterday where they have the usual aisle signs that say “frozen foods,” desserts,” and “vegetables,” but it appears that “Hot Pockets” is now its own type of food group. We don’t blame them, we’re not exactly sure in what category you would classify a Hot Pocket either. [More]
![Man Sues Restaurant For Not Stopping Him From Eating An Entire Artichoke](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/artichokes.jpg?w=240&h=211&crop=1)
Man Sues Restaurant For Not Stopping Him From Eating An Entire Artichoke
A doctor has sued the Houston’s restaurant in Miami after he ate a complete artichoke that he ordered, including the spiny and sharp exterior leaves. He subsequently suffered “severe abdominal pain and discomfort,” and a “exploratory laparotomy” showed that the artichoke leaves were jammed in his “small bowel.” His lawsuit claims that he had “never seen nor heard of previously” an artichoke and that it was the restaurant’s fault for not teaching him how to eat it. [More]
![Doritos: Sorry For Only 3 Chips In Your Bag, Here's Some Free Coupons](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/justhreechips.jpg?w=240&h=180&crop=1)
Doritos: Sorry For Only 3 Chips In Your Bag, Here's Some Free Coupons
An important update to yesterday’s late-breaking story about a man who opened up his bag of Doritos to find there where only three chips inside. As predicted, after reader D contacted the maker, Frito-Lay, they sent him some free coupons. [More]
![Doritos Bag Contains Only Three Chips](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/threechips.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Doritos Bag Contains Only Three Chips
Reader D said that he opened up a small bag of Doritos Nacho Cheese chips to find only three chips and one “chiplete” inside. [More]
![Eat Less By Imagining You're Eating More](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/burgerlunch.jpg?w=240&h=180&crop=1)
Eat Less By Imagining You're Eating More
If you’re trying to cut back on how much you chow down, before you dig in, try imagining yourself eating much more than is in front of you. A new study found that people who practiced visualizing in this way wind up eating about 2/3 less. [More]
![Man Throws Dead Squirrel Through Drive-In](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/squirrelpacket.jpg?w=240&h=180&crop=1)
Man Throws Dead Squirrel Through Drive-In
A 26-year old Illinois man faces a misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct after chucking a dead squirrel through a drive-through window in a macabre prank this weekend. [More]
![Flame Retardants Found In Butter](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/butterpopovers.jpg?w=240&h=180&crop=1)
Flame Retardants Found In Butter
I can’t believe it’s not butter! Well, it’s not. It’s flame retardant, and food researchers found it inside butter they bought from the supermarket. [More]