Pink Slime, the nickname given to the meat product used in various establishments throughout Texas has become a controversial issue in the recent month. Pink Slime is made up of boneless lean beef trimmings, which are later mixed with ground beef and mixed into patties. The product was widely used because it was 90% lean and free of bacteria such as E.Coli and Salmonella. So why is it causing an uproar in the public? The issue at hand is how the product is treated in order to be bacteria-free, which is by the use of ammonia hydroxide. Also that this treatment isn't labeled on the products it is used in.
In recent months many establishments such as Taco Bell, Burger King, and McDonald's have put a stop to the use of the pink meat in their products. But, lately even some of the school districts in Texas that do use the "pink slime" are debating on whether to put an end to it as noted in the article, School districts consider ending use of maligned meat product posted in The Austin American Statesman. The production plants have even halted work due to the recent social uproar that has given the product a negative reputation.
Let's go with the facts. Yes the product may have an unattractive look, yes the product is treated with ammonia hydroxide....BUT, the USDA believes the ammonia hydroxide treatment to be safe, the product is 95% fat free, which would help in the fight of obesity in our nation, it is also free of horrible bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella, cutting the use of this so called "Pink Slime" will lead to the slaughtering of more cattle, lead to the use of meat that may not be 100% bacteria-free, and it would drive the prices up of beef in our already struggling economy. Those worried about the safety of the use of this ammonia treated meat should also take into consideration that it's been used since the 1990's and has "...no reported cases of illness or disease traced to the trimming," as reported by USA Today in the article, What the end of "pink slime" means to you.
The Texas school districts are trying to take into consideration all options presented by those for and against the use of the lean meat. The argument is now whether there should be a choice of schools purchasing the product or if lawmakers should restrict it from being purchased by the government all together. The state should allow schools a choice of keeping or dismissing the product, and the product should be added on labels to inform the public of what exactly they are putting into their mouths. That way those who dislike the product wont eat it and those who believe it benefits them more than other meats can continue to keep eating it. That way everyone wins.
1 comment:
You know it's cause for concern when McDonald's deems a food item too heinous for public consumption.
In her blog, A Texas Thing, Amanda Ashley Vallejo recently published a commentary regarding the controversial pink slime meat product, entitled “ Pink Slime or NoPink Slime?” While Vallejo writes a well informed article pertaining to the benefits of this pink sludge, I still find myself concerned with the negative health implications that could result primarily from the preservative known as ammonium hydroxide. This base form of ammonia is commonly found in fertilizers, household cleaners, and when mixed with certain acids, it can form ammonium nitrate, a common component of homemade bombs. The fact that the USDA finds this chemical “generally safe” is disconcerting. Generalizing safety is basically like rolling the dice and taking your chances. Is your health something you are willing to gamble?
I do share Vallejo's sentiment that pink slime should be disclosed on labels of subjected foods. American citizens have a right to know what is in their food, even if it is toxic.
If you are a proper blue collar Texan (like I hope you are) then you should be familiar with the comedic relief of a Mr. Jeff Foxworthy. In one of his routines he discusses medicine and how the side effects of some medication are worse than the original ailment.
Jeff Foxworthy on drug side effects:
"'For itchy, watery eyes, it's Floraflor. Side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, water weight gain, lower back pain, receding hairline, eczema, seborrhea, psoriasis, itchy chafing clothing, liver spots, blood clots, ringworm, excessive body odor, uneven tire wear, pyorrhea, gonorrhea, diarrhea, halitosis, scoliosis, loss of bladder control, hammertoe, the shanks, low sperm count, warped floors, cluttered drawers, hunchback, heart attack, low resale value on your home, feline leukemia, athlete's foot, head lice, club foot, MS, MD, VD, fleas, anxiety, sleeplessness, drowsiness, poor gas mileage, tooth decay, split ends, parvo, warts, unibrow, lazy eye, fruit flies, chest pains, clogged drains, hemorrhoids, dry heaving, anal seepage and sexual dysfunction.' I'm thinking I'll just stick with itchy, watery eyes."
Same concept applies for using ammonium hydroxide to sanitize otherwise unedible scrap meat. We apply one chemical into a meat substance to nix germs, and in turn we create a laundry list of other health problems. Ailments not limited to bronchitis, asthma, skin irritation and in large concentrations ammonia can scarred lung tissue, causing lower lung inflammation and pulmonary edema. The USDA claiming that “...no reported cases of illness or disease traced to the trimming” is largely irrelevant. Government agencies are notorious for duping the public however necessary to further their own financial gain. As in my earlier post regarding fracking, the EPA seriously underplays the health hazards of fracking due to pressure from the oil companies and certain government officials.
Also, there is so much emphasis on everything in our diet being free of fat. Just because something claims to be 96% fat-free doesn't mean it is wholesome or nutritionally balanced. Quite the contrary, fat plays a vital role in insulating our body's organs, maintaining skin, nails, etc. Rather than eradicating fat, more emphasis should be placed on selecting the right type of fats and balancing this ratio with protein and carbohydrate consumption. Continuing to use pink slime in hopes of making a dint in America's obesity epidemic isn't going to happen. Obesity is a lifestyle choice. People that still eat the majority of their meat in processed form, from the likes of fast food joints, aren't serious about getting healthy—regardless of what you put on the menu.
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