Pink Slime Update, Plants Close, Company Blames YOU

Really need a theme song for this Segment.

Hey folks,

Time for what is growing into a regular Segment here at the OPNTalk Blog. Pink Slime Update. I knew when I first started looking into this it would be big. I had no idea HOW big it would become. I originally thought it was McDonald's only, well, Fast Food in General all do about the same things, so others would not surprise me. But then we learned it's in our Schools and in our Stores. There is a chance you may have it in your FRIG. You may have bought what you were lead to believe is "healthier" ground Beef, only to learn that "lean, finely textured beef," is nothing more than a code word for Pink Slime. The same process they use to make Dog Food.

So you spoke up. Some of you YELLED. Last Sunday I reported to you that Stores All Over Country Pulling Pink Slime. They have stopped selling it all together. Except Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. This is why I will shop elsewhere.

So what happens when you have a Company, that has LIED to people over the years, HID what they are actually doing, and people find out? What do you do if you have a Company that makes a Product that no one buys? Yup. You go bye, bye.

So "Beef Products Inc.," the maker of Pink Slime, and Regina Roth, the VP of the Company, are closing Planets, laying off workers, and blaming YOU! {Laughing} I kid you not. Remember Ms. Riley? She was the one back on Sunday, March 18, 2012 OPNTalk -
Pink Slime WAS Dog Food who, when asked why not Label Packages to let people know they were eating Pink Slime, said...

"What are you asking me to put on the label, its beef, it's on the label, it's a beef product, it's says beef so we are declaring … it's beef,"

Well, Ms Roth just repeated the line. She said..

"What should we label it? It's 100 percent beef What do you want us to label it? I'm not prepared to say it's not beef because it's 100 percent beef."

NO it's not Ms Roth. It's GARBAGE. It's filler to extend Profit. It is NOT Beef. But we know this now, so I doubt you need worry about it. No one is buying it anyway.

So according to ABC News - 'It's 100 Percent Beef': Company on Defensive as It Closes Plants By Jim Avila ABC News – 5 hrs ago

After two weeks of no comments, Beef Products Inc., the maker of "lean, finely textured beef," a product now known by the critics' term for it, "pink slime," came out swinging today during a news conference to announce the temporary closing of several facilities.

The company said that it was suspending all operations at three of its four plants in Texas, Kansas and Iowa. Its headquarters in Sioux City, S.D., would remain.

It said today that it would continue to pay its workers for 60 days as it launches a public relations program designed to restore confidence in its product.

"After that 60-day period is over, if we haven't been able to resume operations again by then, we believe we won't have a decision other than to formally terminate those employees' employment," said Rich Jochum, the company's corporate administrator.

{Laughing} So we are going to LIE to you some more over the next 60 days and hope you buy our Product. If you don't YOU are responsible for all these people losing their Jobs. YOU are responsible for this.

The company blamed social media and news organizations, specifically ABC News, for what it called a gross misrepresentation of its product and process.

"What should we label it? It's 100 percent beef," asked Regina Roth, the company's executive vice president. "What do you want us to label it? I'm not prepared to say it's not beef because it's 100 percent beef."

She said that the company would "attack" the misconceptions in consumers' minds through social media.

"What we're going through is not something any other companies want to … have to endure," Roth said.

Good lick with this. The Stores are not going to buy it. We are not going to buy it. YOU lied to people for years, "90 percent Lean?" uh, Pink Slime. Healthier, less fat, MORE EXPENSIVE for less REAL Meat. No Ms Roth, YOU are to blame. And as much as you say it's One hundred percent beef, others disagree.

Two former scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture who reviewed the product advised against using it in ground beef and told ABC News that it was not the same as ground beef.

"It's not fresh ground beef. It's a cheap substitute being added in," microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein said.

The scientists added that the filler was not as nutritious as ground beef, though the company disputed that. An industry website noted that a side-by-side comparison of nutrition labels showed "90 percent lean beef trimmings and 90 percent lean ground beef have substantially identical nutritional value. And all USDA certified ground beef [with or without lean finely textured beef] found in your grocery store is considered to be a good or excellent source of 10 essential nutrients including protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins."

An Industry Website said. They say so, so, just except it.

The low-grade trimmings used to produce lean, finely textured beef come from the parts of the cow most susceptible to contamination, often close to the hide, which is highly exposed to fecal matter. But because of the treatment of the trimmings - after they have been simmered in low heat, separating fat and tissue using a centrifuge, they are sprayed with ammonia gas to kill germs - the USDA says it's safe to eat.

It goes on to talk about the Stores and the Schools. So there you have it. It's your fault folks. But they will give you just 60 days to change your mind. Or YOU will be responsible for all these fine people losing their Jobs. I don't know about you, but I know I'm not eating Dog Food anymore. If you want to buy this garbage, go to Wal-Mart and Sam's. They still sell it. Probably dirt Cheap too.
Peter

Sources:
ABC News - 'It's 100 Percent Beef': Company on Defensive as It Closes Plants

Stores All Over Country Pulling Pink Slime

Pink Slime Update

Hey folks,

Because of YOU. Well, the New Media that first reported this, then the Mainstream Media that came kicking and screaming along, reported that McDonald's was using Pink Slime. Garbage that should be thrown away, that they use for DOG FOOD, McDonald's was putting in their Burgers and even Chicken Nuggets. They say they have stopped because of YOU.

Then we learned that SCHOOLS were using Pink Slime. While deeming a Turkey on Wheat as not healthy enough, replacing it with Pink Slime Nuggets. Serving Pink Slime Burgers. They now have a choice, because of YOU.

Then we learned that the Beef People refuse to label their packages with Pink Slime, because they "Say it's Beef, it's Beef." {Sigh} We learned that the same process used to create Pink Slime is what they use for Dog Food. YOU said enough is enough. YOU started contacting your Local Grocer and YOU started saying "I will not longer buy Beef in your Store."

Now? Chains: Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw's/Star Market, Shop 'n Save, Kroger Co., Stop & Shop, Giant, Weis, Safeway, The Food Lion, have ALL said no more Pink Slime filler Beef. Public Outrage has changed their minds.

According to USA Today - Kroger, Stop & Shop join 'pink slime' exodus

NEW YORK (AP) — Supermarket chains Kroger Co. and Stop & Shop said Thursday they will join the growing list of store chains that will no longer sell beef that includes an additive with the unappetizing moniker "pink slime."

Federal regulators say the ammonia-treated filler, known in the industry as "lean, finely textured beef," meets food safety standards. But critics say the product could be unsafe and is an unappetizing example of industrialized food production.

Any doubt that it was YOU that, uh, helped their decision making process?

The Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional grocer with 2,435 supermarkets in 31 states, also said it will stop buying the beef, reversing itself after saying Wednesday that it would sell beef both with and without the additive.

Yup. They changed their mind. Wonder why? {Smile}

Earlier Thursday, Stop & Shop said that while the U.S. Department of Agriculture has said the product is safe for consumption, it will stop selling the beef due to customer concerns. Stop & Shop is a unit of Dutch supermarkets owner Royal Ahold NV and operates 400 stores in the Northeast U.S.

The chains joined Safeway, Supervalu and Food Lion, among others, who have said they won't sell beef with the filler.

"Our customers have expressed their concerns that the use of lean finely textured beef — while fully approved by the USDA for safety and quality — is something they do not want in their ground beef," Kroger said in a statement. "As a result, Kroger will no longer purchase ground beef containing lean finely textured beef."

"Lean finely textured beef?" It's GARBAGE. It's DOG FOOD. It's not even MEAT. All these Stores are making the right decision here. Any doubts it was the New Media?

Though the term "pink slime" has been used pejoratively for at least several years, it wasn't until early March that social media suddenly exploded with worry and an online petition seeking its ouster from schools lit up, quickly garnering hundreds of thousands of supporters.

This is a growing trend, because of you. Oh, Wal-Mart? You are NOT too big to NOT be effected. Do the right thing and stop sell this Garbage to your Customers. But look and this..

Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo, and Giant/Martin's, which operates Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets and in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, all said Thursday they will no longer sell beef with the additive.

BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. also said it will stop selling beef products with the additive, starting April 7 for fresh products and April 20 for frozen.

Whole Foods, A&P and Costco said they have never sold beef products with the additive.

On Wednesday, Supervalu Inc. — which operates stores under the Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw's/Star Market, Shop 'n Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy banners — said that customer concern prompted it to stop carrying products containing the filler.

Delhaize America, the U.S. unit of Belgium's Delhaize Group, also said Wednesday that its Food Lion, Hannaford, Bottom Dollar Food and Sweetbay chains have made similar decisions.

And Safeway Inc., which operates the Genuardi's and Dominicks chains, as well as Safeway stores, also said Wednesday that it has announced it will stop selling fresh or frozen ground beef with the filler.

Do what you want folks, but there is a whole lot of other places out there that you can buy your Beef from. You do not have to buy it from Wal-Mart. They just want the Cheapest Product, hence the most Profit. It truly is a shame what Wal-Mart has become.

So Pink Slime is doing what it should. Going back to being Dog Food. Or sold in other Countries. Or in Wal-Mart. But YOU have made this happen. Keep up the good work.
Peter

Pink Slime WAS Dog Food

More evidence that the New Media makes a difference.

Hey folks,

For years, McDonald's and others, stretched their Profits, by stretching their Products, by adding what has become known as Pink Slime. They did this under the Radar. No one knew about it until the New Media starting talking about it. Then, reluctantly, for whatever reason, the Mainstream Media started talking about it. Now McDonald's have stopped using it.

Then we learned from the New Media, that Kiddies were going to School and having their Lunches, Turkey on Wheat, thrown out because it did not meet Federal Guidelines. In their place? Chicken Nuggets. Now commonsense told us all that this is patently absurd. Chicken Nuggets healthier than a Turkey on Wheat Bread? But then we learned that guess what? Schools are using Pink Slime as well.

Like with McDonald's, now the Mainstream Media is reporting on the Pink Slime in Schools. Like McDonald's, Schools are coming under fire for using it. Now, Schools have a choice. According to ABC News - 'Pink Slime' Will Be a Choice for Schools By Ben Forer | ABC News – 10 hrs ago

ABC News has the learned that on Thursday the U.S. Department of Agriculture will announce that starting this fall, schools will be able to choose whether or not they buy hamburger that contains lean finely textured beef known as " pink slime."

The announcement comes one week after ABC News reported on the beef filler commonly known as "pink slime," which is found in 70 percent of the ground beef sold at supermarkets.

"It kind of looks like play dough," said Kit Foshee, who, until 2001, was a corporate quality assurance manager at Beef Products Inc., the company that makes "pink slime." "It's pink and frozen, it's not what the typical person would consider meat."

It's NOT Meat.

Foshee said that he was fired by BPI after complaining about the process used to make the filler, and the company's claims about it. Since then, he has spoken out against the product.

J. Patrick Boyle, president of the American Meat Institute, defended the practice as a way to safely use what otherwise would be wasted.

It SHOULD be wasted. It's GARBAGE!! You know why they came up with this. Profit. That's it. It is MEANT to be thrown away.

"BLBT (Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings) is a sustainable product because it recovers lean meat that would otherwise be wasted," he said in a statement.

However, the substance, critics said, is more like gelatin than meat, and before BPI found a way to use it by disinfecting the trimmings with ammonia, it was sold only to dog food or cooking oil suppliers.

{Laughing} Wait!!! They turn Dog Food into People Food. By using Ammonia? {Laughing} So Turkey Sandwich BAD. Dog food? OK. They should be forced to label,,Oh wait. They do not want to do this. I wonder why.

But Boyle said, "The beef trimmings that are used to make BLBT are absolutely edible" and Janet Riley, senior vice president of public affairs for AMI, said there was no reason to label beef that contains "pink slime."

"What are you asking me to put on the label, its beef, it's on the label, it's a beef product, it's says beef so we are declaring … it's beef," she said.

NO IT'S Not. You do not want to put it on the label because you KNOW no one will ever BUY IT! You Twit. You are using a process that originally reserved for Dog Food. You really think anyone will buy this. You see folks, another reason I'm glad I do not eat Beef any more.

The low-grade trimmings come from the parts of the cow most susceptible to contamination, often close to the hide, which is highly exposed to fecal matter. But because the treatment of the trimmings - simmering them in low heat, separating fat and tissue using a centrifuge and spraying them with ammonia gas to kill germs - the United States Department of Agriculture says it's safe to eat.

ABC News traveled across the country to the meat section of grocery stores to see if it's in the ground beef they sell. At most stores it was impossible to tell for sure whether the beef contained the filler. At one store there was no way to tell from the labels, and the butchers did not know the answer.

There is only one way to know for certain that "pink slime" is not in your beef: If your meat is stamped USDA Organic, it's pure meat with no filler.

Otherwise, you can't know from the packaging because "pink slime" does not have to appear on the label. And the USDA is giving no indication it will force meat packers to lift the veil of secrecy any time soon.

Do what you want folks. As for me and mine, we will stay Dog Food Free. Well, unless we get a Dog.
Peter

School Lunches Meet Fed Guidelines with Pink Slime?

Seriously? You have to ask..

Hey folks,

You all know the story. I posted it here. OPNTalk - Chick Nuggets Healthier Than Turkey or Salami on Wheat. This is where the kid went to School and had her lunch thrown out because it doesn't meet Federal Guidelines. Then as a substitute, she is given Chicken Nuggets.

So the Agent order her to get Chicken Nuggets. Breaded and processed garbage. At a COST to the Parent by the way.

This is just a misunderstanding folks. No big deal. Do not worry about it. The media got it all wrong. Really?

Then we learned that this was NOT a one time event. There was another incident.

So we were lead to believe that the School System, having to meet or exceed Federal Guidelines, must be serving nothing but the most Healthy Food they can produce. Right? Well, according to, {Laughing} I know I know. But according to the, I'm having a bit of a hard time saying this straight. Hey, A broken clock is right twice a day. According to the
Huffington Post - Pink Slime For School Lunch: Government Buying 7 Million Pounds Of Ammonia-Treated Meat For Meals

Pink slime -- that ammonia-treated meat in a bright Pepto-bismol shade -- may have been rejected by fast food joints like McDonald's, Taco Bell and Burger King, but is being brought in by the tons for the nation's school lunch program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is purchasing 7 million pounds of the "slime" for school lunches, The Daily reports. Officially termed "Lean Beef Trimmings," the product is a ground-up combination of beef scraps, cow connective tissues and other beef trimmings that are treated with ammonium hydroxide to kill pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. It's then blended into traditional meat products like ground beef and hamburger patties.

"We originally called it soylent pink," microbiologist Carl Custer, who worked at the Food Safety Inspection Service for 35 years, told The Daily. "We looked at the product and we objected to it because it used connective tissues instead of muscle. It was simply not nutritionally equivalent [to ground beef]. My main objection was that it was not meat."

SO? They are not even serving REAL Meat. That Chicken Nugget that they seem to be hell bent on feeding Kids? Well, that ain't Chicken.

Custer and microbiologist Gerald Zernstein concluded in a study that the trimmings are a "high risk product," but Zernstein tells The Daily that "scientists in D.C. were pressured to approve this stuff with minimal safety approval" under President George H.W. Bush's administration. The USDA asserts that its ground beef purchases "meet the highest standard for food safety."

Great. Our kids are being FORCED to eat a "high risk product."

Controversy surrounding "pink slime" stems from various safety concerns, particularly dangers associated with ammonium hydroxide, which can both be harmful to eat and has potential to turn into ammonium nitrate -- a common component in homemade bombs, according to MSNBC. It's also used in household cleaners and fertilizers.

In 2009, The New York Times reported that despite the added ammonia, tests of Lean Beef Trimmings of schools across the country revealed dozens of instances of E. coli and salmonella pathogens.

Between 2005 and 2009, E. coli was found three times and salmonella 48 times, according to the Times, including two contaminated batches of 27,000 pounds of meat.

A public outcry against the "slime" is led perhaps most prominently by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who had also successfully waged war against flavored milk in Los Angeles schools and continues a crusade for healthier school lunches.

News of the USDA's plan to bring 7 million pounds of "pink slime" to school cafeterias nationwide comes just weeks after the government announced new guidelines to ensure students are given healthier options for school meals.

Yeah right when they started throwing away kiddies HOMEMADE Lunches and giving them this Crap.

The new standards call for more whole grains and produce as well as less sodium and fat in school meals. While the measures mark a step forward from previous years, they still compromise amid push-back from Congress to keep pizza and french fries on the menu -- counting both the tomato paste on pizza and the potatoes that make fries as vegetables.

{Laughing} Salt bad. Fat bad. Pink Slime GOOD?

Still, some schools -- like several in California -- have taken the matter into their own hands, and have found ways to profit from those efforts. Umpteen school districts have taken part in a decade-long initiative, supported by a philanthropic organization, that provides schools with equipments and chefs who teach cafeteria workers to cook from scratch and produce fresh meals.

A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that more than a third of high school students were eating vegetables less than once a day -- "considerably below" recommended levels of intake for a healthy lifestyle that supports weight management and could reduce risks for chronic diseases and some cancers.

Who is paying for all this? Great idea, but can we really afford it? Anyway, there you go. Homemade Lunch BAD. Pink Slime, good. According to the Federal Government I guess. Right?
Peter

Sources:
Huffington Post - Pink Slime For School Lunch: Government Buying 7 Million Pounds Of Ammonia-Treated Meat For Meals