We've no beef with Taco, says US law firm

A law firm has withdrawn its class action that sought to force Taco Bell to stop calling the meat it serves "beef". The lawsuit alleged that what the fast-food company calls "seasoned beef" is a mixture containing non-meat ingredients to bind and bulk up the product and does not meet federal requirements to be labelled beef.

The fast-food chain said this week the allegations were "absolutely wrong" and the lawsuit was voluntarily withdrawn by the firm. It said no money was paid and it is not changing any of its products or advertising.

"This sets the record straight about the high quality of our seasoned beef and the integrity of our advertising," Taco Bell's chief executive, Greg Creed, said. "We took great exception to the false claims made about our seasoned beef and wish the attorneys had contacted us before filing and publicising a lawsuit that disparaged our brand."

The law firm Beasley Allen, based in Alabama, said it withdrew the lawsuit after Taco Bell made changes to its marketing and product disclosure.

"From the inception of this case, we stated that if Taco Bell would make certain changes regarding disclosure and marketing of its 'seasoned beef' product, the case could be dismissed," the attorney Dee Miles said. Taco Bell spent up to $4m in advertising to counter the accusations in the lawsuit, Mr Creed said.