Monday, March 26, 2012

Consumers Win - Pink Slime Industry Turmoil

The company that makes "pink slime" is suspending operations at three of four plants where the low-cost beef filler is made amid concerns about the ingredient, according to the Associated Press. A Beef Products Inc. rep today told the AP about the operations suspensions at plants in Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.  The company's slime plant at its Dakota Dunes, SD, headquarters will continue operations. Who wins here? Humanity in general.

The ammonia-treated ingredient known by the industry as "lean, finely textured beef" (slaughter house floor sweepings) increasingly has become a target of activists seeking to have it banned from supermarkets and school lunch programs. As a result of those efforts the US Department of Agriculture recently decided to allow school districts the option to stop using it and burger chains Mickey D's, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell and others have agreed to banished the disgusting filler.

Good Times Burgers, Costco, Whole Foods, Sunflower and Natural Grocers say they never used pink slime.  In recent weeks, retail chains such as Safeway, Albertson's and Kroger (King Sooper's)  have pulled products containing it.

Finally, Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer said in a statement that while while the USDA and experts agree that pink slime is safe and nutritious (your tax dollars at work!), its Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores will "soon" start offering customers a choice, including beef that does not contain the ingredient.

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