Pink slime

Pink Slime

Pink slime is a term that refers to a processed meat product that is often used as a filler or to reduce the overall fat content of ground beef. It is made from the trimmings of a cow that are left over after the more desirable cuts of meat have been removed. These trimmings are heated and treated with ammonia or citric acid to kill bacteria, then ground into a paste-like substance.

History

The process for making pink slime was developed by Eldon Roth, the founder of Beef Products Inc., in the early 1990s. The product was initially praised for its ability to make use of parts of the cow that would otherwise be wasted, and for its potential to reduce the fat content of ground beef. However, it has since become controversial due to concerns about its safety and nutritional value.

Controversy

The controversy surrounding pink slime began in 2012, when ABC News aired a series of reports on the product. These reports raised questions about the safety of the ammonia treatment process and the nutritional value of the product. In response to these reports, many grocery stores and fast food chains announced that they would stop using pink slime in their products.

Safety and Nutritional Value

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated that pink slime is safe to eat and that the ammonia treatment process is effective at killing bacteria. However, some critics argue that the product is not as nutritious as other cuts of beef, and that consumers should be able to choose whether or not to consume it.

Labelling

In response to the controversy, the USDA announced in 2012 that it would allow companies to voluntarily label products that contain pink slime. However, this decision has been criticized by some consumer advocacy groups, who argue that labelling should be mandatory.

Conclusion

While pink slime is considered safe to eat by the USDA, its use remains controversial. Critics argue that consumers have a right to know what is in their food, and that pink slime is not as nutritious as other cuts of beef. Despite these criticisms, pink slime continues to be used in some ground beef products.

See Also

• Food processing
• Food safety
• Food labelling
• Beef Products Inc.
• Eldon Roth
• ABC News
• U.S. Department of Agriculture