What's in the Taco Meat? A Guide to Ingredients

One effect of the lawsuit Taco Bell is facing is that more customers are scrutinizing its ingredients list. Here's what some of the less-familiar ingredients in its taco filling actually do:

— Isolated Oat Product: Made industrially from oats. Helps processed meat stay moist.

— Soy Lecithin: Mainly used to keep oils and water from separating.

— Maltodextrin: Usually used as a sweetener. Derived from starches such as corn, wheat or potatoes.

— Autolyzed Yeast Extract: Flavor enhancer made from yeast that makes savory flavors more intense.

— Citric Acid: Found naturally in citrus fruits. Used to give foods a sour or acidic flavor, or as a preservative.

— Silicon Dioxide: Essentially, sand. Ground very fine and used in small quantities to keeps food such as powdery seasoning mixes from caking up. Packets of seasoning mixes at the grocery store often include it.

— Sodium Phosphates: A common meat preservative.

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Sources: U.S. Food & Drug Administration, AP research

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