So it turns out that if you make a product that thoroughly grosses most people out and then market that product to supermarkets and meat packers who don’t have to disclose that product is mixed in with their meat…and then the public finds out that the product is in their meat and demands it be removed, then it is perfectly reasonable to sue the TV network who told people that your product was in their foods for putting you out of business because people don’t want your product in their food.
At least, that is what the people at Beef Products, Inc are hoping to convince a jury!
BPI sued ABC News, Inc. for defamation Thursday over its coverage of a meat product that critics dub “pink slime,” claiming the network damaged the company by misleading consumers into believing it is unhealthy and unsafe.
The Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based meat processor must prove that the network knowingly published false information and intended to harm its business. A lawyer for BPI expressed confidence that the company would prevail. But defamation- and food-law experts said the case would be difficult to win. (source)
While people can debate whether or not pink slime (also known as “Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings – BLBT” or “Lean Finely Textured Beef – LFTB”) should be added to foods, there is no question that, once people were made aware that it was in their meats, many loudly declared “NO THANK YOU”. BPI continues to insist that their product is a wholesome one.
What do you think? Should BPI be entitled to compensation because the backlash from the ABC reports essentially put them out of business? Personally, I feel bad for the workers who were left without a job, but my sympathy for them is not enough for me to want to eat ground up trimmings that have to be blasted with ammonia in order to make it safe to eat.
(and if you haven’t seen the original ABC video….)
You said it so well… I don’t think most consumers CARE if it’s “safe.” ABC simply brought attention to an additive that most consumers think is gross and not fit for human consumption.
Yep. I do not care to eat something that has to be treated with ammonia first. Ugh! Not when there are other options to eat!