Taco Bell Sued Over Meat

Taco Bell Sued Over Meat That's Just 35 Percent Beef

Taco Bell might want to change it's "Think Outside the Bun" campaign to "What's Really in That Taco?" after a class-action lawsuit filed against the fast-food giant claimed its taco filler doesn't, um, "meat" federal standards.

The suit against the YUM-brands chain also has a "beef" with the company's advertising, charging its claims of using "seasoned ground beef" or "seasoned beef" in its food products is false.

According to the suit filed by the Alabama law firm Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, the YUM-brands owned chain is using a meat mixture that contains binders and extenders, and does not meet the minimum requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be labeled as "beef.”

Attorney Dee Miles said the meat mixture contained just 35 percent beef, with the remaining 65 percent containing water, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodrextrin, anti-dusting agent and modified corn starch.

The suit was filed on behalf of Taco Bell customer and California resident Amanda Obney, who is not seeking monetary damages, but instead wants a court to order Taco Bell to be honest in its advertising.

"We are asking that they stop saying that they are selling beef," Miles said.

Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell spokesman Rob Poetsch said the company denies that its advertising is misleading and said the company would "vigorously defend the suit."

While the company does list its ingredients on its website — and indicates whether they are allergens — registered dietitian and Fox News contributor Tanya Zuckerbrot said the fillers could be a danger for some consumers.

“Wheat oats, soy lecithin and maltodrextrin are common allergens that are often added to processed foods as fillers because they are much less expensive than meat,” she said. “Aside from being misleading, this form of false advertising puts the consumer at risk as well.”

Zuckerbrot said according to the USDA, “ground beef can have seasonings, but no water, phosphates, extenders, or binders added.” The meat from Taco Bell does not meet the minimum requirements set by the USDA, she said.

“Rather than Taco Bell calling the meat ‘seasoned ground beef’ they should refer to it as ‘mixed meat’ and list the additional ingredients so consumers can know what they are putting into their mouths,” she said.

News From: www.foxnews.com

Stafon Johnson Files Suit Against USC

Stafon Johnson Files Lawsuit Against USC Over Weightlifting Accident

Former USC running back Stafon Johnson has filed a lawsuit against USC over a weightlifting accident that almost killed him -- claiming his USC weightlifting coach recklessly struck the bench press bar that crushed his neck. Johnson claims he was bench pressing 275 pounds in the USC weight room in Sept. 2009 -- part of the required football regimen -- when Jamie Yanchar, an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the football team, was "spotting" him.

While Johnson attempted to grasp the bar on his own, Yanchar allegedly struck the bar, knocking it off balance and slipping from Johnson's hands. The bar fell on to his neck causing severe injury and ending his college football career.

According to the suit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Yanchar's "negligent, careless and reckless" action in striking the bar "substantially increased the risk inherent in Mr. Johnson's bench pressing."

Johnson -- who eventually signed with an NFL team -- is suing for unspecified damages including loss of future earnings.

UPDATE: A rep from USC released a statementt saying, "USC firmly believes it was not at fault in Stafon Johnson's unfortunate weightlifting accident. We are sorry that Stafon was injured."

The statement continues, "USC and the entire Trojan Family have been exceptionally supportive of Stafon from the minute the accident occurred. We are disappointed to learn that Stafon has decided to file a lawsuit against USC."

Full Story From: www.tmz.com

Caleb Hanie Takes Over For Todd Collins Jay Cutler Out

Packers Vs. Bears: Caleb Hanie Takes Over For Todd Collins; Jay Cutler Out

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Hanie, whom none of us have ever heard of, has taken over for QB Todd Collins behind center. FOX’s Chris Myers mentions Hanie’s mobility as being highly preferable to Collins’, so there’s that. But who in the world is Caleb Hanie?

Jay Cutler is apparently out of the game due to his knee injury, leading many to question his heart and toughness and patriotism and so forth. At one point Brian Urlacher was seen speaking to Cutler, who just kept moping around the sideline with his coat on. Since Hanie was inserted before the fourth quarter began, he's the only quarterback allowed to play for Chicago from this point on.

Hanie has played in five games, completing eight regular season passes, in his three seasons since leaving Colorado State. Caleb Hanie? He went undrafted in 2008, and apparently has been a fan favorite among certain Bears fan circles.

The Bears have actually gotten the ball moving on Hanie’s first drive, so maybe somebody was on to something.

News From: www.sbnation.com

Regis Philbin Quit ‘Live With Kelly and Regis

Regis Philbin Quit ‘Live With Kelly and Regis’ Over Pay Cut

Regis Philbin quit his show because production executives told his agent, Jim Griffin, that they would be cutting his current 18-20 million dollar salary when his contract expired. The executives were whining about Regis taking so much time off the show and the show not doing as well as expected. Well Regis showed them his perspective when he announced – totally without warning – on air that he was retiring from the show.

Regis told Kelly Ripa about his decision 15 minutes before they went on the air. Initially we were heard that she was stunned but not angry but now its come out through sources close to the show that she was absolutely furious. A source says, “She felt it showed a total lack of respect for her.”

Apparently the entire production team is angry at Regis because they feel he hurt the show by blindsiding everyone.

As for Regis’ agent, Jim Griffin, he has been fired. Regis feels Griffin did not negotiate the upcoming deal effectively.

That’s life in the big city and on the mean streets of professional entertainment – what have you done for me lately?