Jump to content

Pink slime: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
remove unnecessary subhead
remove "low grade" from opening sentence; this is a loaded phrase and it already occurs once in the lead; once is enough
Line 14: Line 14:
}}
}}
{{wiktionary|pink slime|boneless lean beef trimming|lean finely textured beef|beef|slime}}
{{wiktionary|pink slime|boneless lean beef trimming|lean finely textured beef|beef|slime}}
'''Pink slime''', also known as '''lean finely textured beef''' ('''LFTB''')<ref name = "USDA" /> or '''boneless lean beef trimmings''' ('''BLBT'''),<ref name=APMarch26/> is a [[Beef#USDA beef grades|low-grade]] [[beef]]-based [[food additive]] that may be added to [[ground beef]] and beef-based [[Meat#Methods of preparation|processed meats]] as an inexpensive [[Meat extenders|filler]] in the United States.<ref name="petfood">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/consumer-concerns-about-whats-in-ground-beef|title= Consumer concerns about what's in ground beef|author= Lorna Barrett|work=NewsNet5.com|date=08-03-2012| accessdate= 31-03-2012}}</ref><ref name="isit">{{Cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/is-pink-slime-in-the-beef-at-your-grocery-store/ |title=Is Pink Slime in the Beef at Your Grocery Store?|author= Jim Avila|work=ABC News|date= 08-03-2012| accessdate =31-03-2012}}</ref> (Although legal and classified as "safe" by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA), pink slime is not legal as a food additive in [[Canada]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/><ref name="chemeat">[http://gothamist.com/2012/03/19/beyond_the_pink_slime.php Pink Slime Aside, Ammonia Isn't The Only Chemical In Your Meat], Gothamist, 19-03-2012, access date 01-04-2012</ref>) Source areas may include the most contaminated portions of [[cattle]],<ref name="isit"/> such as near the [[Hide (skin)|hide]] which is often exposed to [[fecal matter]].<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop">{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/safeway-supervalu-food-lion-stop-selling-pink-slime/story?id=15974064#.T3bVZNnZeSo |title=Safeway, SUPERVALU and Food Lion to Stop Selling 'Pink Slime' Beef|author= Jim Avila|work=ABC News|date=21-03-2012| accessdate =31-03-2012}}</ref><ref name="Menendez-USDA">{{cite web | url=http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=cf42a73a-5c98-440d-9f06-2ce135111a60 | title=Menendez: USDA's Decision on Pink Slime A Good First Step, But More Needs To Be Done | publisher=[http://menendez.senate.gov Menendez.senate.gov] | date=March 15, 2012 | accessdate=April 01, 2012 | author=Senator Robert Menendez}}</ref> It consists of finely ground beef scraps and [[connective tissue]] which have been [[Mechanically separated meat|mechanically removed]] from the [[Animal fat|fat]]. The recovered material is processed, heated, and treated with [[ammonia]] gas<ref name="post"/> or [[citric acid]] to kill ''[[E. coli]]'', ''[[salmonella]]'', and other [[bacteria]]. It is finely ground, compressed into blocks and [[Flash freezing|flash frozen]] for use in as a filler in beef products.<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/><ref name="omaha" />
'''Pink slime''', also known as '''lean finely textured beef''' ('''LFTB''')<ref name = "USDA" /> or '''boneless lean beef trimmings''' ('''BLBT'''),<ref name=APMarch26/> is a [[beef]]-based [[food additive]] that may be added to [[ground beef]] and beef-based [[Meat#Methods of preparation|processed meats]] as an inexpensive [[Meat extenders|filler]] in the United States.<ref name="petfood">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/consumer-concerns-about-whats-in-ground-beef|title= Consumer concerns about what's in ground beef|author= Lorna Barrett|work=NewsNet5.com|date=08-03-2012| accessdate= 31-03-2012}}</ref><ref name="isit">{{Cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/is-pink-slime-in-the-beef-at-your-grocery-store/ |title=Is Pink Slime in the Beef at Your Grocery Store?|author= Jim Avila|work=ABC News|date= 08-03-2012| accessdate =31-03-2012}}</ref> (Although legal and classified as "safe" by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA), pink slime is not legal as a food additive in [[Canada]] and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/><ref name="chemeat">[http://gothamist.com/2012/03/19/beyond_the_pink_slime.php Pink Slime Aside, Ammonia Isn't The Only Chemical In Your Meat], Gothamist, 19-03-2012, access date 01-04-2012</ref>) Source areas may include the most contaminated portions of [[cattle]],<ref name="isit"/> such as near the [[Hide (skin)|hide]] which is often exposed to [[fecal matter]].<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop">{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/safeway-supervalu-food-lion-stop-selling-pink-slime/story?id=15974064#.T3bVZNnZeSo |title=Safeway, SUPERVALU and Food Lion to Stop Selling 'Pink Slime' Beef|author= Jim Avila|work=ABC News|date=21-03-2012| accessdate =31-03-2012}}</ref><ref name="Menendez-USDA">{{cite web | url=http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=cf42a73a-5c98-440d-9f06-2ce135111a60 | title=Menendez: USDA's Decision on Pink Slime A Good First Step, But More Needs To Be Done | publisher=[http://menendez.senate.gov Menendez.senate.gov] | date=March 15, 2012 | accessdate=April 01, 2012 | author=Senator Robert Menendez}}</ref> It consists of finely ground beef scraps and [[connective tissue]] which have been [[Mechanically separated meat|mechanically removed]] from the [[Animal fat|fat]]. The recovered material is processed, heated, and treated with [[ammonia]] gas<ref name="post"/> or [[citric acid]] to kill ''[[E. coli]]'', ''[[salmonella]]'', and other [[bacteria]]. It is finely ground, compressed into blocks and [[Flash freezing|flash frozen]] for use in as a filler in beef products.<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/><ref name="omaha" />


The additive itself cannot legally be sold directly to consumers and is instead used as a filler that can constitute up to 15% of ground beef without additional labeling,<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/> and is also used as a filler in other meat products such as beef-based processed meats.<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/> Prior to the invention of the [[Disinfectant|disinfection]] process, beef scraps could only be sold as [[pet food]] or as an ingredient for [[cooking oil]].<ref name="petfood"/>
The additive itself cannot legally be sold directly to consumers and is instead used as a filler that can constitute up to 15% of ground beef without additional labeling,<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/> and is also used as a filler in other meat products such as beef-based processed meats.<ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/> Prior to the invention of the [[Disinfectant|disinfection]] process, beef scraps could only be sold as [[pet food]] or as an ingredient for [[cooking oil]].<ref name="petfood"/>


The term "pink slime" was coined in 2002 by [[Food Safety and Inspection Service]] microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein.<ref name=connective>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/08/pink-slime-combo-connective-tissue-scraps-hidden-in-your-kids-lunch/|title='Pink slime': Combo of connective tissue, scraps hidden in your kids’ lunch|work=[[Fox News]]|date=8 March 2012|accessdate=28 March 2012}}</ref> It usually refers to low-grade beef trimmings from connective tissue.<ref name=connective/><ref name=reluctant/> Manufacturer [[Beef Products]], Inc. (BPI) and meat industry organizations have countered the public concern by stating that the additive is in fact beef, and has begun using the slogan "beef is beef."<ref name="isit"/><ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/><ref name=beefisbeef>{{cite web|title=Get the facts on Lean Beef Trimmings|url=http://beefisbeef.com|accessdate=31 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="dudebeef"/>
The term "pink slime" was coined in 2002 by [[Food Safety and Inspection Service]] microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein.<ref name=connective>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/08/pink-slime-combo-connective-tissue-scraps-hidden-in-your-kids-lunch/|title='Pink slime': Combo of connective tissue, scraps hidden in your kids’ lunch|work=[[Fox News]]|date=8 March 2012|accessdate=28 March 2012}}</ref> It usually refers to [[Beef#USDA beef grades|low-grade]] beef trimmings from connective tissue.<ref name=connective/><ref name=reluctant/> Manufacturer [[Beef Products]], Inc. (BPI) and meat industry organizations have countered the public concern by stating that the additive is in fact beef, and has begun using the slogan "beef is beef."<ref name="isit"/><ref name="ABCNews-CompaniesStop"/><ref name=beefisbeef>{{cite web|title=Get the facts on Lean Beef Trimmings|url=http://beefisbeef.com|accessdate=31 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="dudebeef"/>



==History==
==History==

Revision as of 14:53, 3 April 2012

Pink Slime
InventorEldon Roth[1]
Inception2001 (human use)
earlier for pet food
ManufacturerBeef Products Inc., others
AvailableAvailable
Current supplierBeef Products Inc., others
Look up pink slime, boneless lean beef trimming, lean finely textured beef, beef, or slime in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Pink slime, also known as lean finely textured beef (LFTB)[2] or boneless lean beef trimmings (BLBT),[3] is a beef-based food additive that may be added to ground beef and beef-based processed meats as an inexpensive filler in the United States.[4][5] (Although legal and classified as "safe" by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), pink slime is not legal as a food additive in Canada and the United Kingdom.[6][7]) Source areas may include the most contaminated portions of cattle,[5] such as near the hide which is often exposed to fecal matter.[6][8] It consists of finely ground beef scraps and connective tissue which have been mechanically removed from the fat. The recovered material is processed, heated, and treated with ammonia gas[1] or citric acid to kill E. coli, salmonella, and other bacteria. It is finely ground, compressed into blocks and flash frozen for use in as a filler in beef products.[6][9]

The additive itself cannot legally be sold directly to consumers and is instead used as a filler that can constitute up to 15% of ground beef without additional labeling,[6] and is also used as a filler in other meat products such as beef-based processed meats.[6] Prior to the invention of the disinfection process, beef scraps could only be sold as pet food or as an ingredient for cooking oil.[4]

The term "pink slime" was coined in 2002 by Food Safety and Inspection Service microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein.[10] It usually refers to low-grade beef trimmings from connective tissue.[10][11] Manufacturer Beef Products, Inc. (BPI) and meat industry organizations have countered the public concern by stating that the additive is in fact beef, and has begun using the slogan "beef is beef."[5][6][12][13]

History

Ground beef. Pink slime is a food-based additive that is often used as a filler in ground beef. It was reported in March 2012 that 70% of ground beef sold in U.S. supermarkets contained pink slime.[14]

In 1994, in the wake of public health concerns over pathogenic E. coli in beef, Eldon Roth, founder of Beef Products Inc. (BPI), began work on the "pH Enhancement System," a system which disinfects meat using ammonia.[15][16] Roth, described as a "prominent Midwestern businessman," has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.[17]

The additive was approved for human consumption by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2001. Some USDA scientists had argued against approval, saying that it was not "meat" and was in fact "salvage." However, approval was ultimately granted by then-Undersecretary of Agriculture JoAnne Smith, who stated, "It's pink, therefore it's meat."[18][19] Smith later left the USDA and joined the board of directors of a supplier to BPI.[14]

The term "pink slime" was coined by Dr. Gerald Zirnstein to refer to the resulting products in an internal email, which was subsequently released to the New York Times following a Freedom of Information Act request.[11] In 2007, the USDA determined the disinfection process was so effective that it would be exempt from "routine testing of meat used in hamburger sold to the general public."[16] When the product was undergoing the approval process Zirnstein opposed it but was overruled.[4] Zirnstein has stated "I do not consider the stuff to be ground beef, and I consider allowing it in ground beef to be a form of fraudulent labeling."[16]

A December 2009 New York Times article questioned the safety of the meat treated by this process, pointing to occasions in which process adjustments were not effective.[16] The next week, the newspaper published an editorial reiterating the concerns posed in the news article. A retraction, stated it had "said incorrectly that two 27,000-pound (12,247 kg) batches of processed beef had been recalled. The contamination of the meat was discovered by the company in its plant before the beef was shipped. No meat produced by Beef Products, Inc. has been linked to any illnesses or outbreaks."[20]

In 2012 BPI closed three of its four plants; the company then announced that it was in "crisis planning" and production of the product was halved.[9]

Production process

The production process uses heat in centrifuges to separate the fat from the meat in beef trimmings.[21] The resulting product is exposed to ammonia gas to kill bacteria.[21][22] Gaseous ammonia changes into ammonium hydroxide when it comes in contact with moisture, which is present in the meat.[1]

The product is sold in the U.S. to food companies which use it in ground beef production. A 2008 Washington Post article suggested the content of most beef patties containing the substance approaches 25%.[23] Most is produced and sold by Beef Products, Inc. (BPI), Cargill Meat Solutions and Tyson Foods.[16][24] The product sold by BPI introduces the trimmings to ammonium hydroxide (a solution of ammonia in water), while the Cargill product uses citric acid in lieu of ammonium hydroxide.[25]

Part of the manufacturing process includes extruding the material through long tubes.[26]

Controversy

Diane Sawyer is the lead anchor of ABC News and has presented many of the reports on pink slime.

Public attention was drawn to the product in March 2012 by a series of reports at ABC News, which reported at that time that 70 percent of ground beef sold in U.S. supermarkets contained pink slime.[14] In the U.S., beef can be labeled "100 percent ground beef" even if it contains up to 15 percent pink slime,[27][28] and currently in the U.S., only if a USDA Organic label is present can consumers know that the beef contains no pink slime.[6] The nature of the product and the manner in which it is processed led to concerns that it might be a risk to human health, despite the fact that there have been no reported cases of foodborne illnesses due to consumption of the product.[29][30][31]

Media reporting dramatically reduced its acceptance as an additive to ground beef, leading many retailers and wholesalers to stop using the product, or to label their meats "pink slime free." The reaction against the product has been partially credited to Bettina Siegel's Change.org petition that has landed over a quarter million signatures to ban it in school lunches.[6] The product has been described as "disgusting" and "gross" by consumer advocates but "safe" and "wholesome" by the USDA and Beef Products, Inc., the manufacturer.[6][32] However in an interview, former USDA scientists stated: "We didn't feel it was a meat; it was a salvage."[6]

Consumer advocacy groups have pressed for its elimination or for mandatory disclosure of additives in beef,[33][34][5][6][13] but a spokesperson from Beef Products Inc. said there was no need for any additional labeling, asking "What should we label it? It's 100 percent beef, what do you want us to label it? I'm not prepared to say its anything other than beef, because its 100 percent beef."[35]

Pink slime has been called "an unappetizing example of industrialized food production."[36] However, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, nutritionist Andy Bellatti, and food policy writer Tom Laskawy have variously noted that the product is "unappetizing, but perhaps not more so than other things that are routinely part of hamburger,"[37] is "one of many symptoms of a broken food system,"[38] and is only one of several chemicals routinely added to industrially-produced meat in the United States, respectively.[39]


Consumer concerns

U.S. consumers have expressed concerns that ground beef which contains pink slime is not labeled as such, and that consumers are currently unable to make informed purchasing decisions due to this lack of product labeling.[5] U.S. Senator Robert Menendez has publicly requested that USDA instates mandatory labeling guidelines for ground beef sold in supermarkets, so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.[8]

USDA response

In a statement on March 22, 2012, the USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety stated that "The process used to produce LFTB is safe and has been used for a very long time. And adding LFTB to ground beef does not make that ground beef any less safe to consume."[2]

Plant operations

In March 2012, the manufacturer announced it would suspend operations at three of its four plants which produce beef with the substance.[40] The three plants produced a total of about 900,000 pounds of the product per day.[3]

Politician and media plant tour

Iowa governor Terry Branstad is a proponent of LFTB's use in beef products.

Following the suspension of operations at the plants, members of the media and leaders were invited to tour the facilities by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a Republican.[13] Branstad received $150,000 in campaign contributions from the founders of BPI in 2010.[13] Texas Governor Rick Perry, Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, and South Dakota Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels, all Republicans from meat-producing states, toured the South Sioux City, Nebraska plant in an attempt to allay what they called "inaccurate information" that they claimed as having caused "an unnecessary panic among consumers."[41] The publicity tour emerged with the promotional slogan, "Dude, it's beef!"[13] News reporters were not allowed to ask employees at BPI any questions during the tour.[13] BPI assert that social media and ABC News "grossly misrepresented" their product.[13]

On March 28, 2012, Branstad claimed that removing the additive from ground beef would result in higher ground beef prices and increased obesity rates, stating "The problem is, we take this off the market, then we end up with a fatter product that’s going to cost more and it’s going to increase the obesity problem in this country."[41] However, Safeway and other retailers that have removed pink slime from their shelves or product lines have stated they will not raise the price of their beef.[6] Branstad also stated that he will recommend that Iowa state public schools continue to use ground beef which contains LFTB, in which he plans to "send a letter to the state's public schools, encouraging them to continue to buy LFTB."[42]

Abstention and product divestment

Food manufacturers

Several U.S. food manufacturers have publicly stated that they do not use pink slime in their products, including ConAgra Foods Inc., Sara Lee Corporation and Kraft Foods Inc.[43]

Grocery retailers

Costco Wholesale Corporation stated that they do not use beef containing pink slime because it is not up to their "standards." Publix, Whole Foods Market, H-E-B and Fresh and Easy also have stated they do not sell products containing the additive.[5][44][45][46] Fresh and Easy in fact capitalized on the controversy by offering to trade meat from its competitors containing the additive for its own pink slime-free meat free for up to two pounds for several days.[47] Gerrity’s Supermarkets stated that it never knowingly sold the product but that it had amended its policy to demand its suppliers certify their meat as pink slime free.[46]

A Safeway supermarket

In 2012, food distributors Safeway, the second-largest in the nation, halted the sale of beef containing the additive at its Safeway, Carrs, Dominick's, Genuardi's, Randall's, Tom Thumb, Simon David, Pak'nSave, Vons, and Pavilions stores.[48] Supervalu, the third-largest in the nation, stopped selling products containing the additive at its SuperValu, Lucky, Acme, Farm Fresh, Cub Foods, Hornbacher's, Save-A-Lot, Shaw's, Jewel-Osco, Shop 'n Save, The Market, Shoppers Food, and Albertsons stores due to "considerable customer concern."[49][6][45]

A Kroger store

Kroger, America's largest supermarket chain, also stopped selling beef with pink slime in it.[50] releasing a statement that says: "Our customers have expressed their concerns that the use of lean finely textured beef— while fully approved by the USDA for safety and quality— is something they do not want in their ground beef. As a result, Kroger will no longer purchase ground beef containing lean finely textured beef."[51]

Food Lion and its subsidiaries Harveys Supermarkets, Bloom, and Bottom Dollar Food have also banned the product.[6] Meijer,[52] Lowes Foods,[26], and Bi-Lo/Winn-Dixie also announced that they would no longer sell products containing pink slime.[53] Ahold's grocery stores, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover, stopped selling items containing LFTB on March 22, 2012, based on customer concerns.[54] Giant Eagle also eliminated the product describing "questions, confusion, and a decline in consumer confidence in the product" as its rationale.[55] In April 2012 Shaw's and Star Market, Market Basket, Hannaford Bros. Co., and Target all reported they would stop selling beef with the product.[56] Officials with Market Basket stated that although they consider the product to be "perfectly safe," that pink slime is a "misleading" term, and that the reaction to it is a "panic," but since the public "doesn't want it in there... we pulled it out."[56] Wegmans will continue selling the item until it can procure pink slime-free ground beef and has promised to phase out ground beef with the filler.[54]

A Walmart supercenter

Wal-Mart and its subsidiary Sam's Club announced they will soon offer pink slime-free ground beef as an option but will continue to also sell meat containing the filler.[54] It has been reported that Waldbaum's does not sell products containing the additive.[7]

The pink slime stories were reported to have led to increased business in small neighborhood markets, as customers "don't want to eat 'lean finely textured beef.'"[56]

Iowa's Hy-Vee markets originally announced that they planned to phase out products containing LFTB, but reversed their decision after pressure from Iowa state Governor Terry Branstad.[57] This was described by the Omaha World-Herald as BPI's "first victory" in the pink slime affair, which a Branstad spokesman claimed was a "smear campaign."[57] Nevertheless, it was reported that some people find the product "unappetizing" as it is a "lesser product" that is "[not] disclosed."[57]

Fast food restaurants

A McDonald's restaurant in Pasadena, California

McDonald's,[58] Burger King and Taco Bell announced they would discontinue the use of BPI products in their food.[59]

Wendy's ran full-page advertisements in eight major newspapers (including the New York Times, USA Today, and Los Angeles Times), stating that it has never used pink slime. A Wendy's spokesperson told Reuters news agency, "We have never used lean finely textured beef (pink slime) because it doesn't meet our high quality standards."[60][43]

Five Guys confirmed that "We do not have pink slime in our ground beef. We use 80/20 ground chuck. Our manufactures do not use ammoniated procedures."[61]

Public schools

After parents and consumer advocates insisted pink slime be removed from public schools, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicated that it would give school districts the option of choosing between ground beef with or without the additive.[9][62][63] The USDA stated in March 2012 that beginning in fall 2012, the U.S. National School Lunch Program will allow school districts to decide whether or not to purchase ground beef containing pink slime.[64] On March 22, 2012, 41 Democrats in Congress, led by Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine, wrote a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, writing that "creating a two-tiered school lunch program where kids in less affluent communities get served this low-grade slurry is wrong" and urging the elimination of pink slime from all public-school lunches.[65][66]

Representative Chellie Pingree, who said, "It's wrong to feed children a slurry that was formerly only used for dog food."[67]

Following the USDA announcement, many school districts have stated they will opt-out of serving ground beef with the filler.[64][68] The Miami-Dade County Public Schools district, one of the nation's largest, stated that it would choose pink-slime-free beef despite some expected increase in cost, as did state officials in South Carolina.[69] The New York City Department of Education announced plans to phase out pink slime (following a letter from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer urging the department to do so[70]), while the Boston Public Schools district "decided to hold and isolate its entire inventory of ground beef" in a warehouse "until the district knows more about what is in it."[69]

In the Washington, D.C. area, school officials in the District of Columbia, Arlington County, Alexandria, and Prince George's County stated that none of their beef suppliers currently uses pink-slime beef, while the school districts in Montgomery and Fairfax canceled their existing meat orders and stated that they planned to be pink slime-free by the next school year.[71] The Anchorage School District announced plans to opt-out of purchasing beef containing the additive.[72]

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture announced it would only buy beef without the ammonia-treated filler. Additionally, schools were given the option to cancel pink slime-containing beef orders for the remainder of the year, although they would not receive subsides on those orders.[73]

The Los Angeles Unified School District said in a statement that "We use 100% all-natural ground beef with no fillers, additives or soy isolates including mechanically separated parts of beef," and the San Francisco Unified School District also stated that their beef suppliers do not use pink slime.[65]

While some school districts have their own suppliers, many school districts purchase beef directly from the USDA and so have no way to know what is in the beef.[65] It was reported that for the year 2012, the USDA has planned on purchasing 7 million pounds of lean beef trimmings for the U.S. national school lunch program.[10] USDA spokesman Mike Jarvis stated that of the 117 million pounds of beef ordered nationally for the school lunch program last year, 6 percent was LFTB.[65] An analysis of California Department of Education data obtained by California Watch indicated that "anywhere from none to nearly 3 million pounds of beef from the USDA that was served in California schools last year could have been lean finely textured beef."[65]

According to the USDA, the cost differential between ground beef with and without the additive is around 3 percent.[65]

Secretary Vilsack

Senator Jon Tester, Democrat of Montana, urged Vilsack to remove "pink slime" from school lunches and replace it with "high-quality Montana beef." Tester stated that he planned to include provisions in the upcoming farm bill that would allow schools more flexibility in using USDA commodity dollars, so they can buy locally-grown and produced food.[74]

Effect on production

In March 2012 BPI suspended production at three of its four plants. The company announced that it was in "crisis planning," and production of LFTB was halved.[9]

On April 2, 2012, another producer, AFA Foods (a ground-beef processor owned by Yucaipa Companies), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing "ongoing media attention" that has "dramatically reduced the demand for all ground beef products."[75][76]

In mass media

Jamie Oliver

An episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, aired on April 12, 2011, depicted Jamie Oliver decrying the use of pink slime in the food supply and in school lunches.[77] In the episode, Oliver douses beef trimmings in liquid ammonia while explaining what the product is and why he is disgusted with it.[77] Oliver has stated, "Everyone who is told about pink slime doesn't like it in their food - school kids , soldiers, senior citizens all hate it."[78] The American Meat Institute and Beef Products retorted with a YouTube video featuring Dr. Gary Acuff of Texas A&M University questioning some of Oliver's statements and promoting the additive.[22][79]

A March 7, 2012, ABC News investigative report on the product said 70% of ground beef sold in U.S. supermarkets contained pink slime at that time, and that the USDA considered it meat.[14] The report precipitated a widespread consumer backlash against the additive. Numerous supermarket chains discontinued sale of products incorporating the filler following the backlash.[80]

Jon Stewart, a comedian, described the product as "ammonia soaked centrifuge separated byproduct paste" on his program, The Daily Show, and showed an animation of the production process.[81]

An Associated Press review of the taste of pink slime-containing hamburgers as compared to traditional or "real" hamburgers described the filler-containing burgers as smelling the same, but being less juicy and highly mealy with bits and studs of cartilage-like matter.[82]

See also



References

  1. ^ a b c Shin, Annys (June 12, 2008). "Engineering a Safer Burger". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 1, 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b Hagen, Elisabeth, "Setting the Record Straight on Beef", USDA blog, March 22, 2012
  3. ^ a b "Manufacturer of 'pink slime' beef ingredient suspending operations at 3 of 4 plants". Associated Press. March 25, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Lorna Barrett (08-03-2012). "Consumer concerns about what's in ground beef". NewsNet5.com. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f Jim Avila (08-03-2012). "Is Pink Slime in the Beef at Your Grocery Store?". ABC News. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Jim Avila (21-03-2012). "Safeway, SUPERVALU and Food Lion to Stop Selling 'Pink Slime' Beef". ABC News. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b Pink Slime Aside, Ammonia Isn't The Only Chemical In Your Meat, Gothamist, 19-03-2012, access date 01-04-2012
  8. ^ a b Senator Robert Menendez (March 15, 2012). "Menendez: USDA's Decision on Pink Slime A Good First Step, But More Needs To Be Done". Menendez.senate.gov. Retrieved April 01, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d Ross Boettcher (26-03-2012). "BPI halts 'pink slime' production at 3 plants". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b c "'Pink slime': Combo of connective tissue, scraps hidden in your kids' lunch". Fox News. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  11. ^ a b Gillam, Carey (March 24, 2012). "Scientist who coined 'Pink Slime' reluctant whistleblower". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Get the facts on Lean Beef Trimmings". Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Jim Avila (29-03-2012). "'Dude, It's Beef!': Governors Tour Plant, Reject 'Pink Slime' Label". ABC News,. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  14. ^ a b c d Avila, Jim. "70 Percent of Ground Beef at Supermarkets Contains 'Pink Slime'". ABC News. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  15. ^ "Beef Products Inc. - History". Beef Products Inc. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d e Moss, Michael (December 30, 2009). "Safety of Beef Processing Method Is Questioned". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Alexander Burns, Romney donor at center of 'pink slime' controversy (March 29, 2012). Politico.
  18. ^ Natural News (April 2, 2012). "'Pink Slime' is now Found in 70 Percent of the Ground Beef at Our Grocers". International Business Times. Retrieved April 02, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "70% of ground beef in supermarkets contains 'pink slime'" video, ABC News, StopPinkSlime.org, access date 01-04-2012.
  20. ^ Editorial (January 9, 2010). "More Perils of Ground Meat". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  21. ^ a b Stern, Andrew (Edited by: McCune, Greg) (March 29, 2012). ""Pink slime" producer allows tour of plant to bolster image". Reuters. Retrieved March 31, 2012. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ a b Jamie Oliver Mischaracterizes Lean Beef on YouTube
  23. ^ Shin, Annys (12 June 2008). "Engineering a Safer Burger". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Tyson executives say concerns about 'pink slime' in beef has hurt demand and will cut supply". The Washington Post. March 27, 2012.
  25. ^ Miltner, Karen (March 23, 2012). "Groceries address consumers' 'pink slime' concerns". The Ithaca Journal. {{cite news}}: Text "FRONTPAGE" ignored (help); Text "text" ignored (help)
  26. ^ a b Lowes Food to stop selling 'pink slime' beef, The Business Journal, 26-03-2012, access date 01-04-2012
  27. ^ The 'pink slime' lesson (March 31, 2012) (editorial). Toledo Blade.
  28. ^ Dan Piller, Beef industry braces for loss of 'pink slime' filler (March 27, 2012). Des Moines Register.
  29. ^ "Brownback says "pink slime" criticism unfair". KWCH Eyewitness News. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  30. ^ "Food facts get slimed by turn of a phrase". PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  31. ^ "Letter from Beef Products, Inc. Founder Eldon Roth". BPI. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  32. ^ "Pink slime in burgers? Gross". The Washington Post. 30-03-2012. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  33. ^ Martha C. White, 'Pink slime' is sticky problem for beef industry (March 29, 2012). MSNBC.
  34. ^ Sue Gleiter, Consumer activist group wants local grocers to label beef that has 'pink slime' filler (March 21, 2012). Patriot-News.
  35. ^ ""Pink Slime" maker suspends operations". KTVX (ABC 4, Salt Lake City). 26 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  36. ^ Mae Anderson, Fresh & Easy lets shoppers swap 'pink slime' meat (March 27, 2010). Associated Press.
  37. ^ Amy Hubbard, 'Pink slime' in school burgers? Food advocates have heard worse (March 15, 2012). Los Angeles Times.
  38. ^ Andy Bellatti, Beyond Pink Slime (March 13, 2012). Huffington Post.
  39. ^ Tom Laskawy, 'Pink slime' is the tip of the iceberg: Look what else is in industrial meat (March 19, 2012). Grist.
  40. ^ Editorial (January 9, 2010). "'It's 100 Percent Beef': Company on Defensive as it Closes Plants". ABC News. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  41. ^ a b Lee, MJ (March 29, 2012). "Governors show love for 'pink slime'". Politico.
  42. ^ Dreeszen, Dave (March 29, 2012). "Branstad urges schools to keep using lean beef product". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved April 01, 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ a b Baertlein, Lisa; Geller, Martinne (March 30, 2012). "Wendy's jumps into "Pink Slime" public relations war". Reuters. Retrieved March 31, 2012. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "We wont be taking out the pink slime from out food". Fresh and Easy press release. 23-03-2012. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  45. ^ a b Julio Antonio Molinet (28-03-2012). "Sirven aquí a escolares carne con viscosidad rosada". El Diario de El Paso. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  46. ^ a b "Where to Get 'Pink-Slime'-Free Beef". ABC News. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  47. ^ Mae Anderson (27-03-2012). "Fresh & Easy lets shoppers swap 'pink slime' meat". Associated Press. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  48. ^ Michael Muskal (March 21, 2012). "No more 'pink slime' in fresh beef, Safeway says". Los Angeles Times.
  49. ^ Michael Muskal (March 21, 2012). "Another major supermarket chain drops 'pink slime'". Los Angeles Times.
  50. ^ "'Pink slime' ground beef no longer sold at Kroger stores". KABC, ABC News. 22-03-2012. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  51. ^ Haupt, Angela (March 23, 2012). "Health Buzz: Supermarkets Ditch 'Pink Slime'". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 01, 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  52. ^ Tim Feran (23-03-2012). "Kroger, Giant Eagle won't sell 'pink slime' meat". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  53. ^ Christian Conte (March 23, 2012). "Bi-Lo/Winn-Dixie to stop buying "pink slime" beef". Jacksonville Business Journal. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  54. ^ a b c Mallory Vough (23-03-2012). "Giant and Walmart Stop Selling 'Pink Slime'". Upper Macgungie Patch. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  55. ^ Evans, Lauern (23-03-2012). "RSS Text Size Print Share This Home / news / local / Giant Eagle Rejects 'Pink Slime' Grade Of Beef". nbci1.com. Retrieved 31-02-2012. "...While Boneless Lean Beef Trim (BLBT) is USDA and FDA approved and has been considered safe and nutritious for more than 20 years, recent media attention on BLBT has prompted questions, confusion, and a decline in consumer confidence in the product. After careful review of feedback from our customers, Giant Eagle has decided that effective immediately the companies will no longer source fresh ground beef containing BLBT." {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  56. ^ a b c Concord Monitor. 01-04-2012 Customers flee from 'pink slime' http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/320893/customers-flee-from-pink-slime Customers flee from 'pink slime'. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |author-= ignored (help)
  57. ^ a b c Ross Boettcher (01-04-2012). "Hy-Vee reverses stance on 'pink slime'". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 01-04-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  58. ^ Matthew Rosenbaum, McDonald's Announces End to 'Pink Slime' in Burgers (February 1, 2012).
  59. ^ Reilly, Jill (January 27, 2012). "Victory for Jamie Oliver in the US as McDonald's is forced to stop using 'pink slime' in its burger recipe". Mail Online. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  60. ^ Wendy’s Runs Ads Saying Its Beef Is ‘Pink Slime’-Free (March 30, 2012). CBS New York/Associated Press. Accessed April 2, 2012.
  61. ^ Tweet (March 29, 2012, 10:48 PM), Five Guys.
  62. ^ "Pink slime perspective". Los Angeles Times. March 25, 2012.
  63. ^ Dillon, Karen (March 24, 2012). "Kansas City area stores, schools say no to 'pink slime'". The Kansas City Star.
  64. ^ a b Associated Press (March 22, 2012). "Supermarkets join move away from 'pink slime' beef filler". USA Today. Retrieved April 01, 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  65. ^ a b c d e f Joanna Lin, How much 'pink slime' beef do schools serve? (March 27, 2012). California Watch.
  66. ^ Letter from 41 Congressional Democrats to Secretary Vilsack (March 22, 2012).
  67. ^ homepage, StopPinkSlime.org, access date 02-04-2012
  68. ^ Some schools planning to drop 'pink slime' meat (March 15, 2012). Associated Press.
  69. ^ a b Jess Bidgood (March 24, 2012). "'Pink Slime' Is Vanishing From School Cafeterias". New York Times.
  70. ^ John Del Signore, Safeway Drops Pink Slime, Scott Stringer Implores DOE To Do Likewise (March 21, 2010). Gothamist.
  71. ^ Michael Alison Chandler (March 30, 2012). "Washington region schools taking 'pink slime' off the menu". Washington Post.
  72. ^ Heather Hintze, School District Moves to Get Pink Slime Off Its Menus (March 24, 2012). KTVA-11.
  73. ^ N.J. schools to stop serving beef with 'pink slime' (March 27, 2012), Associated Press, access date 01-04-2012
  74. ^ Gail Schontzler, 'Pink slime' beef controversy sizzles (March 21, 2012). Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
  75. ^ Phil Milford and Shruti Date Singh, AFA Foods Files for Bankruptcy Citing 'Pink Slime' Coverage (April 2, 2012). Bloomberg News.
  76. ^ Alexander Abad-Santos, Slime Doesn't Pay: Ground Beef Processor Files for Bankruptcy (April 2, 2012), The Atlantic.. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  77. ^ a b Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: Pink Slime - 70% of America's Beef is Treated with Ammonia on YouTube
  78. ^ homepage, StopPinkSlime.org, access date 02-04-2012
  79. ^ "Myth: Ordinary Household Ammonia is Used to Make Some Hamburgers". MeatMythCrushers.com. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  80. ^ Muskal, Michael (March 21, 2012). "Another major supermarket chain drops 'pink slime'". Los Angeles Times.
  81. ^ "Video: Jon Stewart Takes On "Pink Slime," AKA "Bovine Velvet"".
  82. ^ J. M. Hirsh (16-03-2012). "'Pink slime' sounds gross, but how does it taste?". Associated Press. Retrieved 31-03-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
External images
image icon A popular image of pink slime
image icon A common image of pink slime kibble
image icon Giant rolls of pink slime being flash frozen
image icon A frozen brick of pink slime, the finished product
image icon Cutting one of those bricks
image icon Spaghetti like strands of pink slime during the industrial process
image icon Texas governor Rick Perry eating a hamburger reported as being made with pink slime
image icon A popular image of pink slime used by the meat industry association
image icon An anti-pink slime banner
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pink_slime&oldid=485344418"