Pink slime: Difference between revisions

'''Pink slime''' refers to mechanically processed beef products known in the [[Meat packing industry|meat processing industry]] as '''lean finely textured beef''' ('''LFTB''')<ref name = "USDA" /> and '''boneless lean beef trimmings''' ('''BLBT''').<ref name=APMarch26/> It is a processed [[beef]] product that was originally used in animal feed and cooking oil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/70-percent-of-ground-beef-at-supermarkets-contains-pink-slime/ |title=70 Percent of Ground Beef at Supermarkets Contains ‘Pink Slime’ - ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2012-03-07 |accessdate=2012-07-31}}</ref> TheHowever, in the United States, since 2004 the product iswas approved for human consumption and began to nowbe used as a [[food additive]] to [[Beef mince|ground beef]] and beef-based [[Meat#Methods of preparation|processed meats]] as a filler or to reduce the overall fat content of beef products. The production process uses heat in [[centrifuge]]s to separate the fat from the meat in beef trimmings.<ref name="Reuters-Plant Tour">{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/29/us-food-slime-idUSBRE82S1I520120329 |title="Pink slime" producer allows tour of plant to bolster image |work=Reuters |date=March 29, 2012 |accessdate=March 31, 2012 |author=Stern, Andrew (Edited by: McCune, Greg)}}</ref> The resulting product is exposed to [[ammonia]] gas or [[citric acid]] to kill bacteria.<ref name="Reuters-Plant Tour"/><ref name=Mischaracter>{{YouTube|title=Jamie Oliver Mischaracterizes Lean Beef|id=zTXhaud1HOw|publisher=Beef Products In c.|accessdate=April 1, 2012}}</ref> The product is sold in the U.S. to food companies which use it as a filler product in ground beef production. It was reported in March 2012 that approximately 70 percent of ground beef sold in U.S. supermarkets contained the additive at that time. In March 2012, [[ABC News]] ran a series of news reports about the product, which generated significant controversy and led to increased consumer concerns. Following the controversy, some companies and organizations discontinued the provision of ground beef with the additive, while others continued to provide beef with the filler. Some state officials have objected to the term "pink slime," saying that it is a misrepresentation of the additive and that "lean, finely textured beef" is the proper name for the product.<ref>[http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2012/apr/10/gary-black/dont-call-it-pink-slime-georgia-official-says/ "Don't call it pink slime, Georgia official says"], Politifact, April 4, 2012</ref>