Taco Bell Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla
At a glance
Summary
Taco Bell Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla tested at 15.99 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.
Contaminants 1
Source: Independent third-party laboratory testing
Glyphosate 15.99 ppb Moderate
A moderate level of glyphosate — elevated enough to be a real sourcing concern; cleaner-tested options exist.
Tested at 15.99 ppb glyphosate residue — low for a chain-restaurant prepared food.
Key ingredients 37
Vegetable ShorteningVery Bad
Contains: interesterified soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil. Industrially restructured fat; emerging concerns for lipid metabolism and inflammation.
See more about Vegetable Shortening →Soybean oilVery Bad
Industrial seed oil; high in linoleic acid (omega-6) and solvent-extracted.
See more about Soybean oil →Bleached enriched wheat flourBad
Refined flour stripped of bran and germ.
SugarBad
Added refined sugar.
See more about Sugar →Sodium acid pyrophosphateBad
Phosphate additive — mineral-balance concern for frequent consumers.
See more about Sodium acid pyrophosphate →Mono and diglyceridesBad
Emulsifier; may carry trans-fat residue from production.
See more about Mono and diglycerides →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 →Modified potato starchBad
Chemically modified starch.
See more about Modified potato starch →Yeast extractBad
Free-glutamate flavor enhancer (functions like MSG).
See more about Yeast extract →Disodium inosinateBad
Glutamate-amplifying flavor enhancer paired with MSG.
See more about Disodium inosinate →Disodium guanylateBad
Glutamate-amplifying flavor enhancer paired with MSG.
See more about Disodium guanylate →MaltodextrinBad
Processed corn-derived sugar that spikes blood glucose.
See more about Maltodextrin →Natural flavorsBad
Undisclosed flavor compounds; can include solvent carriers and GMOs.
See more about Natural flavors →Sodium phosphateBad
Phosphate additive; high cumulative phosphate intake linked to vascular and renal stress.
See more about Sodium phosphate →Powdered celluloseBad
Wood-pulp-derived anti-caking fiber.
See more about Powdered cellulose →Modified food starchBad
Chemically modified starch.
See more about Modified food starch →Sodium benzoateBad
Preservative; can form benzene with vitamin C.
See more about Sodium benzoate →Propylene glycol alginateBad
Industrial humectant.
See more about Propylene glycol alginate →Calcium disodium EDTABad
Synthetic chelating preservative.
See more about Calcium disodium EDTA →WaterNeutral
Pure water.
See more about Water →SaltNeutral
Sodium contributor; tolerable in moderation.
See more about Salt →Sodium bicarbonateNeutral
Leavening or mineral salt.
See more about Sodium bicarbonate →MolassesNeutral
Less-refined cane sweetener.
See more about Molasses →Cellulose gumNeutral
Plant-derived thickener and stabilizer — inert at typical use levels.
See more about Cellulose gum →Sodium citrateNeutral
Emulsifying and buffering salt — benign at food-use levels.
See more about Sodium citrate →Lactic acidNeutral
Common food acid for pH balance.
See more about Lactic acid →AnnattoNeutral
Natural color from achiote seed.
See more about Annatto →Xanthan gumNeutral
Plant- or fermentation-derived thickener / mild acidulant.
See more about Xanthan gum →Chicken breastGood
Chicken breast meat (with seasoning carriers separately flagged).
See more about Chicken breast →Three-cheese blendGood
Real-cheese / dairy ingredient.
Mozzarella cheeseGood
Real-cheese / dairy ingredient.
See more about Mozzarella cheese →Cheddar cheeseGood
Real-cheese / dairy ingredient.
See more about Cheddar cheese →Monterey Jack cheeseGood
Real-cheese ingredient.
See more about Monterey Jack cheese →ButtermilkGood
Cultured dairy.
See more about Buttermilk →Egg yolkVery Good
Whole-food egg fraction.
See more about Egg yolk →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
Scan any product to see lab results, healthy alternatives, and your personalized analysis.
Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play