Wegmans plans to stop selling ground beef that includes what's been called "pink slime."
It joins a growing list of supermarket chains that are pulling the plug on the product. Federal regulators say the filler, treated with ammonia, meets food safety standards. It's known in the industry as "lean, finely textured beef." But critics say it could be unsafe, and that it's an unappetizing example of industrialized food production. Wegmans says its product was not treated with ammonium hydroxide.
In a statement released to CNYCentral, Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman said, "We've made a decision to stop selling ground beef that contains Lean Finely Textured Beef. Having grown up in the meat business, we have always been proud of our ground beef and eat it ourselves. Because of the sensationalism of this issue it has become a concern for our customers. Every decision we make is with our customers in mind. Our commitment remains the same. We will continue to source the best quality ground beef, now without lean finely textured beef."
Wegmans says it is not removing the products, but will transition to a ground beef without pink slime as soon as it's available from their supplier. When that will happen has not yet been determined.
The grocery chain joins several other supermarket chains that have promised to stop selling beef with the additive. Kroger, Stop & Shop, Safeway, Supervalu and Food Lion are among the supermarkets that will now sell beef without it.
The low-cost ingredient is made from fatty bits of meat left over from other cuts. Pink slime sounds gross, but how does it taste? Read more about a taste test here.
Last week, the Agriculture Department said starting next fall, schools involved in the national school lunch program will have the option of avoiding the product.
Information from the Associated Press used in this article.
