A South Dakota beef producer on Thursday filed a defamation
lawsuit against ABC News, claiming the broadcaster unfairly disparaged its beef
additive by labeling it "pink slime,"
the WSJ reports.
Beef Products Inc., a closely held company, filed its
lawsuit in a South Dakota state court seeking at least $1.2 billion in damages
under a state law that gives agricultural companies the ability to sue when
their products are criticized. The company makes what the industry calls
"lean, finely textured beef," which is made from beef trimmings that
are treated with ammonium hydroxide to keep the product safe from bacterial
contamination. The treated beef had been common in some ground beef and
pre-made burgers as well as school cafeteria food.
Dan Webb, a lawyer representing BPI, said ABC defamed its
products by simply calling the beef additive "pink slime." Mr. Webb
said BPI blames ABC for causing consumers to believe the product "is some
type of unhealthy and repulsive liquid product that is not even meat." He
said the additive is 100% beef. ABC News
Senior VP Jeffrey Schneider said, "The lawsuit is without merit. We will
contest it vigorously." ...
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