Taco Bell worker says he was forced to serve expired beef

A Green Bay, Wisconsin worker calls Taco Bell after claiming its location tried to force it to serve expired beef.

In a video with over 81,000 views, TikTok user @keep_it_real4life shows stacks of beef bags in a walk-in fridge. Each is marked with an “expiry date”.

“Today is March 15,” says the TikToker. “Our area trainer came in last night and told us we had to use beef that expired on February 27 this year and March 10 this year.”

@keep_it_real4life @tacobell please help, because the abuse has been going on for far too long #expired #helpmeplease #viral ♬ Original sound – 4life

The TikToker also claims he’s been asked to serve onions that are past their use-by date because “they don’t want to throw them away because of the cost of groceries.”

As @keep_it_real4life explains, serving food past its sell-by date can pose significant risks to customers.

“What about customer security? This stuff can make people really sick!” exclaims the TikToker. “We serve expired products because we are forced to. Something has to change. It’s going to make people sick – really sick.”

This isn’t the first time Taco Bell has been accused of serving expired food. Last year, a post went viral on the /r/AntiWork subreddit in which a Redditor claimed he was fired after refusing to list an expired product.

Back on TikTok, users encouraged @keep_it_real4life to share the issue with his local health department.

“It’s against CORE and a health department food safety violation,” wrote one user.

“Contact the health department immediately. Invite them in for inspection immediately,” added another.

“Just throw it away and go out! Call the company, call the health department! Stand up for what is right!” shared a third. “You better make TacoBell!”

While many encouraged @keep_it_real4life to speak out against serving expired food, he notes that it is difficult for workers who need such a job to speak out against it.

“…If your job is on the line, most employees will do as they are told,” he wrote in a comment. Still, he claims he refused to sell the expired product, although he noted that the “closing crew” will likely sell it.

Despite these issues, users have praised TikToker for speaking out.

“[You’re] doing the right thing,” said one commenter. “Be proud of yourself! Well done, sir.”

We contacted Taco Bell via email and @keep_it_real4life via TikTok comment.