"Beef Processor Shutters Plants Over 'Pink Slime' Fallout"

"Beef Products Inc., the top producer of ammonia-treated beef product dubbed 'pink slime' by critics, said Monday that it had halted production at three of its four plants in three states for 60 days."

"Rich Jochum, corporate administrator for the South Dakota-based company, said the temporary closure could become "a permanent suspension."

"This is a direct reaction to all the misinformation about our lean beef," Jochum said.

The company shut down operations Monday at its plants in Amarillo, Texas; Finney County, Kansas; and Waterloo, Iowa.

Two of the biggest U.S. supermarket operators,Safeway Inc., parent of Dominick's, andSupervalu Inc., parent of Jewel-Osco, have said they will stop buying the ammonia-treated beef.

Also known as lean finely textured beef, the product has drawn criticism from food activists. Oak Brook-based McDonald'sstopped using USDA-approved ammonia-treated meat in its hamburger products last summer."

P.J. Huffstutter reports for Reuters March 27, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"'Pink Slime': Health Crisis Or Misunderstood Meat Product?" (Christian Science Monitor)

"Pink Slime, Deconstructed" (Scientific American blog)

"It Came From the Media: What Prompted the Ruckus About 'Pink Slime'? And Is It Unhealthy?" (Discover)