The Kind Of Gross Way Taco Bell Makes Its Eggs
If there's one thing fast food restaurants aren't known for, it's their eggs. While many fast food joints have special breakfast menus featuring eggs or egg sandwiches, the ingredients and methods used to cook the eggs are questionable at best. Taco Bell is no exception to the rule — and some customers found out the truth behind the eggs thanks to a Reddit post. Reddit user ThisManNeedsMe shared that the eggs come pre-packaged in liquid form inside a plastic bag, then are warmed up in a water thermalizer. Yes, the eggs are cooked inside the bag before it gets cut open and the eggs are served to customers. One former employee compared the cooking method to poaching eggs in water that is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the off chance that there isn't time for a 30-minute water bath, some employees simply throw the eggs on the grill to cook. Apparently, cooking eggs on the grill is a no-no, but is sometimes done by the early morning shift crew. When it comes to certain breakfast items, like the California Breakfast Crunchwrap and its breakfast burrito, customers may get more than they bargained for. The eggs used in those items have additives like soybean oil, xanthan gum, and guar gum.
Not all additives in fast food scrambled eggs are bad
Taco Bell isn't the only chain serving eggs that contain additional ingredients. Fast food chain Chick-Fil-A, known for its fresh and local ingredients, adds xanthan gum, citric acid, and natural butter flavor to its egg mixture. But even if other additives are in the egg mixture, they are not considered dangerous to consume. For example, xanthan gum is a powder that is added as a stabilizer to food. It makes sense why this ingredient would be included, as xanthan gum makes a great substitute for eggs in cooking and baking.
Taco Bell has made changes to its menu since 2008, like simplifying ingredients and offering a wide range of options for those with intolerances or dietary restrictions. The chain even pledged to use only cage-free eggs in all United States stores by 2016 — and made good on that promise. It took this commitment to the next level by using cage-free eggs in its dressings and sauces as well. Taco Bell continues to remove additives, artificial colors, and artificial flavors when it can, including high fructose corn syrup and palm oil. If you're wary about eating eggs at Taco Bell, there are plenty of other options. Its vegetarian menu includes 15 certified vegetarian products with 24 vegan ingredients so customers can build their own egg and meat-free meal.