Pink Slime. This ugly nickname given Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB) has caused an uproar among American consumers. While it is referred to as a ‘filler’ or ‘salvage meat,’ that is not the case. LFTB is 100% USDA certified beef. It has the same nutritional value as 90% lean beef and serves as a great source of 10 essential nutrients while being low in fat.
Many people are also concerned about dangerous chemicals, namely ammonium hydroxide, being added to LFTB to make it safe for consumption. However, ammonium hydroxide is essentially ammonium and water. This chemical has been used and determined safe since 1974 by the Food and Drug Administration.
Some consumers believe that beef containing LFTB should be labeled. But LFTB is purely beef, therefore the labeling would be redundant and unnecessary. These close trimmings have also added 10-12 pounds of beef per animal over the years recently.
Help yourself and others around you to be an informed consumer. Beef is a healthy, safe and nutritious way to feed America and LFTB is just another variety of the beef America knows and loves. I encourage you to visit pinkslimeisamyth.com, a website launched by Beef Products, Inc. to better inform consumers, to do your own research as well.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you have about LFTB and I will do my best to answer them or help you find someone who can.
Bridget Beran
2011-2012 Kansas Hereford Queen
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