There has been a lot of media attention this week over the recent lawsuit against Taco Bell, alleging the company’s “meat mixture” contains only 36 percent meat instead of the 40 percent required to fit the definition of beef. But Mercy For Animals. a national non-profit animal protection organization, has a solution to Taco Bell’s problem that could be a win-win for everyone, especially the animals who are cruelly slaughtered for meat. MFA wrote a letter to Taco Bell President, Greg Creed, asking Taco Bell to “Think Outside the Bun” and Go Vegan. It asks the very smart question, “Why not ‘Think Outside the Bun’ and switch to a healthy and delicious vegan meat substitute and cash in on the growing demand for meatless meal options?”
Mercy For Animals’ letter to Taco Bell follows.
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January 27, 2011
Greg Creed, President
Taco Bell Corporation
1 Glen Bell Way
Irvine, California 92618-3344
Phone: 949-863-4500
Fax: 949-863-2252
Dear Mr. Creed:
I am writing on behalf of Mercy For Animals, a national, non-profit animal advocacy organization, with a practical solution to your company’s current legal problems stemming from allegations that your “meat mixture” contains less than 36 percent meat. Why not “Think Outside the Bun” and switch to a delicious vegan meat substitute and cash in on the growing demand for healthy and humane meatless meal options?
Taco Bell customers would lose their appetites if they saw how cows raised for beef are inflicted with third degree burns (hot-iron branding), have their testicles ripped from their scrotums and their horns burned out of their skulls – all without any painkillers. Undercover investigations have revealed sick and injured animals routinely entering the human food supply. At slaughter, improper stunning condemns many animals to being skinned and dismembered while still alive, conscious and suffering. More information is available at www.ChooseVeg.com.
Cruelty to animals aside, the United Nations is calling for a global shift toward a vegan diet, saying that this is crucial to saving the world population from hunger, fuel shortages and the worst impacts of climate change. And according to the American Dietetic Association, vegan diets provide powerful protection against many deadly diseases, including the three biggest killers in the United States: heart disease, many types of cancer, and strokes.
Human health, environmental degradation, cruelty to animals and false advertising allegations are all very serious issues, but Taco Bell can tackle these problems, and more, by adopting and promoting a compassionate and cruelty-free vegan menu. There is simply no better time than right now to salvage your company’s reputation and tap into a growing market for vegan foods. In fact, the National Restaurant Association says that vegan menu options are a “hot trend” for 2011. And with Taco Bell’s 12 authentic (and vegan) seasonings and spices, your customers can get the same tastes and textures they know and love with 100% plant-based meat substitutes without all the saturated fat, cholesterol and cruelty associated with animal flesh.
Mercy For Animals is ready and willing to assist Taco Bell in making the socially responsible switch to a healthy, humane and honest vegan menu. We look forward to your response. Please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or 937-470-9454.
Sincerely,
Nathan Runkle
Executive Director
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You may want to write your own letter, and we hope you do! We think it’s pretty amazing that a company that prides itself on having a dog as their spokesperson would be in the business of slaughtering cows (essentially big dogs – who moo instead of bark.) Taco Bell wouldn’t know what hit them if they offered some vegan fare to us on-the-go-vegans. In the major cities we don’t have to rely on fast food crap, but plenty of vegans on the road or in small towns don’t always have the option of eating clean and green.. wouldn’t it be great if you could have a tempeh taco on your next road trip when the next Whole Foods isn’t for miles?