Taco Bell Beef Taco Supreme
Summary
Taco Bell Beef Taco Supreme tested at 13.70 ppb glyphosate in Moms Across America's 2024 fast-food investigation — a low residue for chain-restaurant food. Glyphosate (Roundup's active ingredient) is a WHO IARC Group 2A probable human carcinogen linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, endocrine disruption, kidney and liver impairment, and microbiome disturbance. Likely sources: conventional corn/wheat in the shell or tortilla plus seed oils from glyphosate-treated crops.
At a glance
Contaminants 1
Source: Independent third-party laboratory testing
Glyphosate 13.70 ppb Moderate
A moderate level of glyphosate — elevated enough to be a real sourcing concern; cleaner-tested options exist.
Tested at 13.70 ppb glyphosate residue — low for a chain-restaurant prepared food.
Key ingredients 34
Bleached enriched wheat flourBad
Refined flour stripped of bran and germ.
WaterNeutral
Pure water.
See more about Water →Vegetable shortening (interesterified soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil)Very Bad
Industrially restructured fat; emerging concerns for lipid metabolism and inflammation.
SugarBad
Added refined sugar.
See more about Sugar →SaltNeutral
Sodium contributor; tolerable in moderation.
See more about Salt →Mono and diglyceridesBad
Emulsifier; may carry trans-fat residue from production.
See more about Mono and diglycerides →Cellulose gumBad
Synthetic fiber/thickener; gut-microbiome disruption signals.
See more about Cellulose gum →Calcium propionateBad
Mold-inhibiting preservative; behavioral concerns in some pediatric studies.
See more about Calcium propionate →Sorbic acidBad
Preservative.
See more about Sorbic acid →Potassium sorbateBad
Preservative; signals of gut-microbiome and DNA-damage concerns.
See more about Potassium sorbate →BeefGood
Whole muscle meat.
See more about Beef →Chili pepperGood
Whole spice / herb / pepper.
MaltodextrinBad
Processed corn-derived sugar that spikes blood glucose.
See more about Maltodextrin →Caramel colorBad
Class III/IV caramel color contains 4-MEI, a possible carcinogen.
See more about Caramel color →Soy lecithinBad
Soy-derived emulsifier — a refined, industrially processed additive tied to seed-oil production. Not a seed oil itself, but Scout classifies lecithin emulsifiers as bad.
See more about Soy lecithin →SpicesGood
Whole spice / herb / pepper.
See more about Spices →Tomato powderGood
Whole-grain, seed, or fresh produce ingredient.
Natural flavorsBad
Undisclosed flavor compounds; can include solvent carriers and GMOs.
See more about Natural flavors →Yeast extractBad
Free-glutamate flavor enhancer (functions like MSG).
See more about Yeast extract →Disodium inosinateBad
Glutamate-amplifying flavor enhancer paired with MSG.
Disodium guanylateBad
Glutamate-amplifying flavor enhancer paired with MSG.
Modified corn starchBad
Chemically modified starch.
See more about Modified corn starch →Sodium phosphateBad
Phosphate additive; high cumulative phosphate intake linked to vascular and renal stress.
See more about Sodium phosphate →Cultured pasteurized milk and creamGood
Cultured dairy.
See more about Cultured pasteurized milk and cream →Modified food starchBad
Chemically modified starch.
See more about Modified food starch →CarrageenanBad
Seaweed-derived thickener with intestinal-inflammation signals (animal studies).
See more about Carrageenan →Locust bean gumNeutral
Plant- or fermentation-derived thickener / mild acidulant.
See more about Locust bean gum →Shredded cheddarGood
Real-cheese / dairy ingredient.
Cheese cultureGood
Living culture.
See more about Cheese culture →AnnattoNeutral
Natural color from achiote seed.
See more about Annatto →Powdered celluloseBad
Wood-pulp-derived anti-caking fiber.
See more about Powdered cellulose →NatamycinBad
Antifungal preservative used on shredded cheese.
Shredded lettuceGood
Fresh whole vegetable; fiber and micronutrients.
Diced tomatoesGood
Fresh tomato; lycopene and vitamin C.
Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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