Pink Slime Across America

            Since we did not have a discussion Tuesday in class, instead I’ll write about something that relates to my topic and that Mr. Eagen brought up: Pink Slime.

While most media outlets are busy covering the most recent shooting of Trayvon Martin with all the controversy surrounding it, another hot topic in the media is “Pink Slime”. Essentially, it is a food additive that contains animal by- products that has been treated with ammonium hydroxide. It first was brought in the media light at the beginning of March by ABC 70% of ground beef for sale in the United States contained unlabeled “Pink slime”. You know that once your product is labeled with the word “slime” it will affect your sales. Currently, the largest producer of pink slime, Beef Products Inc., has suspended three of its four factories.

After doing some research I discovered that pink slime has been a major part of the meat processing industry since the early 90’s and has been criticized by some scientists and media outlets in the past 20 years. The USDA allowed Pink slime to go unlabeled in beef products even though the USDA’s own scientists said that pink slime should be labeled! The issue of pink slime has delved from a food only issue but also now involves more corporations and the political spectrum. McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King have all committed to having “pink slime” free products. Also, other well-known grocery stores such as Publix, Costco, SuperValu have pulled any beef products containing pink slime. Parents have also seemed to join the cause via online petition and now the United States Department of Agriculture has offered public schools to have pink slime free products at the cost of having untainted beef products with a higher percentage of fat.

Unfortunately, the amount of research on the actual effects of pink slime is negligible. The critics of “pink slime”, as it has been coined, say that it may be unsafe and looks unappetizing. Many prominent Republican governors such as: Rick Perry, Sam Brownback, and Terry Branstad believe “(Beef Products Inc.) have been a victim of a smear campaign, and I think we need to do all we can to try to counter this,” as stated by Branstad. The three Republican governors toured Sioux City, Nebraska plant to show their support for Beef Products Inc.

            So the question to ask oneself is why now, why is pink slime becoming an issue today as opposed to 10 years ago? No research has circumstantially shown that pink slime is unhealthy so why is it being banned from companies, grocery stores and by some schools? Is it the media manipulating the story to make a “mountain out of mole hills scenario”?

            Personally, I think currently there is not even research or evidence to ban pink slime. Pink slime has been used for the past 20 years and has shown no adverse effects. It is simply meat by product that is being heavily processed. If every food that was heavily processed was banned, there would be no fast food joints, no sugary sodas. Since that scenario is not going to happen, it unnecessary to pick on pink slime just because it got stuck with a disgusting nickname.

Picture of Pink slime and article: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/pink-slime-maker-suspends-plant-operations-ammonia-treated-beef-nixed-nyc-schools-supermarkets-article-1.1051323