PURCHASE, NY--Hot on the heels of last week's FDA approval, on Monday
PepsiCo subsidiary Taco Bell launched its controversial "morning
after" burrito, a zesty, Mexican-style entree that prevents unwanted
pregnancies if ingested within 36 hours following intercourse.

Developed by a team of top Taco Bell gynecologists, the $1.99
"ContraceptiMelt" burrito creates an inhospitable environment within
the womb, causing fertilized ovum tissue to be flushed from the body.

Also available are ContraceptiMelt Supremes, featuring sour cream
and extra cheese.

Taco Bell officials are excited about the offering. "In the past,
before Roe v. Wade, young women literally had to 'make a run for
the border' to terminate an unwanted pregnancy," Taco Bell public
relations director Grant Lesko said. "But now, women can make that
same run for the border at over 7,300 convenient locations right
in their own hometowns."

Possible side effects of the new birth-control snack item include
weight gain, stomach upset and gas, the same as with all other
Taco Bell products.

"The new ContraceptiMelt is a safe, effective alternative to
traditional forms of birth control that must be administered before
intercourse," Lesko said. "Plus, it's delicious."

Customers who wish to purchase a ContraceptiMelt will be required
to meet briefly for consultation with a registered Taco Bell
counselor/cashier. The counselor will ring up the customer's order
and collect money for it, then provide change, before being allowed
to administer the ContraceptiMelt.

Additionally, a five- to ten-minute waiting period may be necessary
during high-volume "busy periods" in the restaurant, depending on
the length of the line.

"Late afternoon, like 3 p.m., is usually a good time to come in,"
said Gerry Frankel, an Arlington, VA, Taco Bell counselor/cashier.

While the new burrito is legal and available in all 50 states,
parental-consent laws in 37 states require minors who wish to
purchase the ContraceptiMelt to obtain permission from a parent
or legal guardian--unless they order a side of Cinnamon Crisps
and a large beverage.

Taco Bell vice-president of product research and development
Marvin Sekuler expects the new product to be tremendously successful.

"All of our test marketing and demographic research indicates
that among 14- to 22-year-old females, there is great demand for
a quick, relatively painless termination of unwanted pregnancy
via spontaneously induced rejection of fertilized, pre-fetal
tissue from the uterine canal," Sekuler said. "Plus, 14- to
22-year-olds love delicious, Mexican-style fast-food products.
We're thrilled that our newest menu item can meet both these
important needs in a lip-smacking, tasty way."

While he hopes that many young women will purchase the new burrito,
Sekuler stressed that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is an
individual one.

Above: Nineteen-year-old Alicia Vargas of Yuma, AZ, avoids
getting pregnant with a delicious Taco Bell ContraceptiMelt.

"We are in no way advocating any particular view on this most sensitive
of issues," he said. "We simply want to offer this option. And, of
course, we fully respect our customers who decide to carry their
babies to term. In fact, I'd like to point out that Taco Bell offers
a wide variety of non-contraceptive menu items that can provide the
crucial nutrients--such as mild sauce, shredded cheddar and beef--that
a growing fetus needs to develop properly."

Sekuler noted that every pregnacy terminated by the Taco Bell
ContraceptiMelt comes with a special guarantee.

"If any one of our customers becomes pregnant after consuming our new
burrito, the Taco Bell Corporation will, guaranteed, hire that person
to work for us at $6.25 per hour," he said. "Taco Bell's competitive,
above-minimum-wage salaries; flexible schedules; and fun, team-oriented
atmosphere make it the ideal place for a young, single mother, enabling
her to provide for herself and her children with uninsured subsistence
living."

Pending FDA approval, Taco Bell plans to follow up the ContraceptiMelt
with the RU-486 MexiCarriage Deluxe. Already legal in France, the
MexiCarriage Deluxe costs $1.59 if purchased during the first
MexiMester, $1.79 during the second and $1.99 during the third.