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USDA criticized for LFTB response

Many involved with animal agriculture are upset that the USDA didn’t mount a stronger defense of lean finely-textured beef (LFTB) when the so-called “pink slime” story first started to spread across the country.

Nebraska Farm Bureau president Steve Nelson is among them.

“The thing we thought was most egregious in this was how USDA came out and really ignored the science,” Nelson says, “the science that says that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with finely-textured lean beef—that it is definitely not ‘pink slime’—that there’s really no such thing as pink slime.”

Nelson says it’s another case of emotion trumping science—and he’s disappointed that USDA caved to the “pink slime” hysteria. 

“Their main purpose is to be that entity that uses facts—that relies on facts—that doesn’t rely on emotion—that takes science and says ‘there’s nothing wrong with this product—it’s safe—and it’s something that everyone should feel comfortable using’.”

When the controversy first broke, USDA announced that it would disclose to school districts which of its suppliers use LFTB so administrators can decide whether to purchase it or not.

USDA also announced that, beginning next fall, schools will have the option to choose between 95 percent lean beef patties made with LFTB or less lean bulk ground beef that does not contain it.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has since stated that while there are absolutely no safety issues with LFTB, giving schools a choice is the right thing to do.

AUDIO: Steve Nelson (2:25 MP3)