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Flavor:
Cheese Quesadilla
Ingredients:
Flour Tortilla: Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Water, Shortening (Interesterified Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil), Contains 2% Or Less Of Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Yeast [yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid]), Sugar, Dough Conditioners (Mono– And Diglycerides, Fumaric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Enzymes, Wheat Starch, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Cellulose, Corn Starch, Dicalcium Phosphate, With Tocopherols, Ascorbic Acid And Citric Acid [added As Antioxidants]), Calcium Propionate (P), Molasses. Contains: Wheat. [certified Vegan], Three Cheese Blend: Low-moisture Part-skim Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Pasteurized Process Monterey Jack And American Cheese With Peppers (Cultured Milk, Cultured Part-skim Milk, Water, Cream, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Jalapeno Peppers, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid [p], Color Added, Annatto And Paprika Extract Blend [vc], Enzymes), Anticaking Agents (Potato Starch, Cornstarch, Powdered Cellulose). Contains: Milk [certified Vegetarian], Creamy Jalapeno Sauce: Soybean Oil, Water, Vinegar, Jalapeno Peppers, Buttermilk, Spices, Cage-free Egg Yolk, 2% Or Less Of: Dextrose, Chili Powder, Salt, Natural Flavors, Sugar, Onion Powder, Paprika (Vc), Minced Onion, Garlic Powder, Cocoa Powder Processed With Alkali, Dried Onion, Glucono-delta-lactone, Modified Food Starch, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (P), Sodium Benzoate (P), Sorbic Acid (P), Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate, Lactic Acid, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Citric Acid, Acetic Acid (Pf), Calcium Disodium Edta (P). Contains: Milk, Egg [certified Vegetarian]
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Taco Bell menu Cheese Quesadilla falls at the lowest end of our health-conscious spectrum. This product is not organic and includes GMO ingredients, leading to an immediate deduction in its rating. The presence of added sugars, such as molasses and sugar, along with more concerning sweeteners like dextrose, further diminishes its standing. The quesadilla also contains a range of additives, from the ambiguous ‘natural flavors’ to emulsifiers like diglycerides and thickeners such as xanthan gum. These components, common in processed foods, contribute to its low score.
More serious concerns arise with the inclusion of known harmful additives. Propylene glycol, sodium benzoate, and sodium metabisulfite are ingredients with recognized negative health impacts, and their presence in the Cheese Quesadilla is a critical factor in our assessment. The use of potentially harmful oils, specifically soybean oil, is another reason for the low rating, as these oils often undergo heavy processing and may contain trans fats, which are linked to various health issues.
The flour tortilla base is made with bleached enriched wheat flour, a refined grain that lacks the nutritional value of whole grains. The product’s cheese blend and creamy jalapeño sauce introduce additional processed elements, such as anticaking agents and preservatives, which serve to extend shelf life at the expense of nutritional integrity.
This Cheese Quesadilla from Taco Bell represents a choice that does not align with the pursuit of cleaner, healthier food options. Its composition of non-organic, GMO, and processed ingredients, paired with additives of concern, anchors its position as a product to avoid for those seeking nourishment from less processed sources. Consumers are encouraged to consider alternative options that prioritize whole, unprocessed ingredients to better support a healthy diet.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
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