Taco Bell's History Of Food Scandals

Like many American fast-food brands, Taco Bell's history has been marked with a series of scandals related to their ingredients and safe sanitation practices.

This morning, The Daily Byte reported on a newly emerging Taco Bell scandal, this time concerning a salmonella outbreak that affected 10 states in October. According to the CDC, investigators have not identified the ingredient that caused the foodborne illness, but they believe Taco Bell is linked to the case.

In 2000, the Tex-Mex giant was linked to Kraft Food's nationwide recall of taco shells due to a genetically-altered corn seed that had been used during the manufacturing process. This was the first time in U.S. history that a food product made using contaminated genetically modified organisms had to be recalled.

A string of other ingredient-related Taco Bell scandals surfaced in 2006 and 2007, beginning with an E. coli outbreak caused by contaminated lettuce that sickened 71 people and a similar case the following year, in which spinach that was contaminated with E. coli killed three people and sickened 200 others.

Perhaps the most famous Taco Bell scandal, however, was the 2011 controversy surrounding false accusations concerning the quality of their beef. The allegations suggested that Taco Bell's "seasoned beef" consists of only 36 percent real beef. 

Here's a collection of stories related to all things Taco Bell, including more about their infamous food scandals. 

Listeria, hepatitis A, botulism, E. coli, typhoid, these are some pretty heavy, dangerous things we're talking about, and they've been the culprits behind some scary outbreaks of illnesses through the years. And the sources have often been rather unassuming — products and places that you wouldn't think of being nefarious. Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough, Chi-Chi's, Taco Bell — you're talking about the fabric of Middle America.

Taco Bell Linked to Salmonella Scare

Oh Taco Bell, we know you were trying to class yourself up by serving breakfast burritos, but this latest story isn't going to help your reputation.

Reuters reports that the fast-food chain has been linked to a salmonella outbreak that affected 68 people in 10 states last October.

Reviewing Taco Bell's New 'FirstMeal' Breakfast Menu

Last week, Taco Bell rolled out its long-awaited breakfast menu at 750 locations in 10 states across the country. The Tex-Mex titan of fast food, whose parent company is Yum! Brands Inc., spent the past five years developing the 11-item menu, known as "FirstMeal."

In the following slideshow, three different types of avowed Los Angeles-based fast-food connoisseurs tested every item on the menu and gave their honest opinions.

Taco Bell Employees Cut Through the Beef

Amidst the bevy of criticism surrounding the quality of their seasoned beef last winter, Taco Bell is launched a marketing campaign that aimed to set the record straight. The "Talk" campaign will include a series of TV, radio, and internet spots featuring the Taco Bell employees who prepare the meat in question.

By the Numbers: Taco Bell Hot Sauce

That collection of condiment packets that has been increasing in your glove compartment, refrigerator, or office drawer is about to get more colorful. Two new salsas have been added to Taco Bell's hot sauce lineup: Salsa Verde and Fire-Roasted Tomato. In their honor, here's a look at packet factoids by the numbers.