Editor’s note: BPI in Waterloo, Iowa is the country’s largest producer of “lean finely textured beef.” Some have called the product “pink slime.” The product is treated with ammonium oxide to kill bacteria before being added to ground beef.
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Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Steve King led Iowa’s U.S. House Delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking that the USDA take a more active role in educating the public about the benefits of lean finely textured beef, a meat product that has recently been the focus of a focused, negative public smear campaign. Lean finely textured beef is a 100% beef product that is largely produced by Beef Products Inc., a company with a significant presence and long history in Iowa.
“BPI and the lean finely textured beef product it produces have been the victim of a vicious negative media campaign,” said King. “The result has been a misinformed public that’s pressured retailers and the USDA to distance themselves from the company and its product,” said King. “The USDA is uniquely positioned to help educate the public about the facts as they relate to lean finely textured beef. Unfortunately the agency’s handling of this situation thus far has led the public to believe that this product is neither healthy nor safe. These false claims have put jobs and livelihoods at stake. We need Secretary Vilsack and the USDA to take an active role in setting the record straight. ”
The letter sent to Secretary Vilsack can be found here: LFTB_Letter_to_USDA.pdf
