The Politicians who love pink slime........
BPI, (Beef Products Inc.) recently invited several politicians and members of the media to tour one of their facilities after the pink slime fall out. (Currently 3 out of their 4 plants are closed) One of the first of many to step up to the plate was Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (R). BPI donated $152,000 to Branstad's Campaign in 2010, and has made other generous contributions to other republican campaigns. Texas Governor Rick Perry, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, and South Dakota's Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels toured the South Sioux City Nebraska plant to assure their constituents that there are no consumer health issues regarding pink slime. (Please note all these Politicians are Republicans and are from high beef producing States)
The media and journalists that were along for the tour were not allowed to ask any questions regarding pink slime, or speak to any BPI employees.
After the tour, on March 28th, 2012, Brandstad said that removing the additive from ground beef would result in higher ground beef prices and increased obesity rates, stating "The problem is, we take this off the market, then we end up with a fatter product that’s going to cost more and it’s going to increase the obesity problem in this country."
Iowa's based Hy-Vee markets originally announced that they planned to phase out products containing pink slime, but reversed their decision after pressure from Iowa state Governor Terry Branstad.
More manufacturers have stepped up to publicly stated that they do not use pink slime in their products, including ConAgra Foods Inc., Sara Lee Corporation and Kraft Foods Inc.
Retail giant Target has announced it will no longer carry beef with pink slime.
Carrs, Dominick's, Genuardi's, Randall's, Tom Thumb, Simon David, Pak'nSave, Vons, Pavilions, SuperValu, Lucky, Acme, Farm Fresh, Cub Foods, Hornbacher's, Save-A-Lot, Shaw's, Jewel-Osco, Shop 'n Save, The Market, Shoppers Food, and Albertson's stores have all stopped selling pink slime beef due to "considerable customer concern."
More notable stores that are discontinuing the sale, are Food Lion and its subsidiaries Harvey's Supermarkets, Bloom, and Bottom Dollar Food have also banned the product. Meijer, Lowes Foods, and Bi-Lo/Winn-Dixie also announced that they would no longer sell products containing the additive.
Wegman's will continue selling the beef until it can phase out the product from its stores.
On a side note: Canada does NOT permit the use of any additives, particularly ammonia gas in their meat production, and meat may not be imported that has been treated since they use the same strict guidelines, standards, and requirements of domestic meat.