Yes, you heard all that correctly....so years and years ago these "trimmings" which are comprised of rejected fat, sinew, bloody effluvia, and occasional bits of meat cut from carcasses, were considered waste and usually sold as pet food...but now it's a whole different story! These "trimmings" most recently renamed "boneless lean beef", are now liquified using a spinning centrifuge and sold as a low cost hamburger additive. Major fast-food restaurants, supermarkets and school lunches contain this 'Pink Slime'...Oh and not to mention, 7 million pounds are produced each week! HA! No wonder we haven't found out about this until now...it's a big time $$ MONEY MAKER $$ !!
=But the FuN doesn't stop there...when samples of this 'pink slime' were tested they found some harmful pathogens like E. Coli, so the next thing that they do is disinfect it with AMMONIA!!! Yes, that eXtReMeLy powerful chemical that is in most of our cleaning supplies....well it's also in your ground beef! And here is where it gets really BAD...Beef Products Inc. has convinced the FDA, our Food and Drug Administration {the people that are responsible for keeping us SAFE} to allow ammonia to be listed as a "processing ingredient" so that we would not know that we were consuming ammonia...WOW!
On a really serious note....How disappointing is this? Feel a little deceived? That's why I started this blog...it's not to scare you and be annoying about Organic Food....it's to educate and open our eyes about the types of things we are putting into our bodies and realize that just because someone {ahem..the FDA} says it's "safe" doesn't mean it is.
So how can we avoid this Pink Slime? Shop for Organic, Grass-Fed beef...and if you really want proof that you're not buying 'Pink Slime' select a piece of beef and have them grind it while you wait.
I know organic meat is a bit more expensive but it just might be worth it!
**ALSO....you can sign the petition here for schools to stop allowing pink slime to be used in lunches :)**
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Sources
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/pinkslime-ammonia-ground-beef.htm
Photo - http://www.healthytomorrow.org/2007/06/debate-underway-on-legislation-to-curb-toxic-chemicals.html
Photo - change.org
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susanah, this is amazing...about the pink slime...and Ellen has a great way of explaining it. If only it were funny! You have truly opened my eyes to organic...it may be the only food we can trust. I've already started with orgainc bananas, spinach, carrots, apple juice...well the list keeps growing. And it is easy. Kroger and even Sams Club has plenty of it!
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