dude, it's beef

After a run-around with the media, the truth about LFTB is available for consumers to grasp.  Over the weekend BPI held a grill-out for producers, consumers, and industry people to share information on the incorporation of LFTB in ground beef.  Articles have been published in various newspapers, and specials have been held on morning talk shows and the evening news.  I hope and pray this big and ugly mess can turn itself around.  Beef producers are already losing $7 per market animal: which may not seem like a lot, but more times than none that is all the profit one makes when feeding cattle.


Regardless, as an animal scientist and consumer, it still amazes me how many people have not heard about the pink slime scandal.  At Iowa State University Governor Tom Branstad and Nancy Degner from the Iowa Beef Industry Council are planning to hold a meeting: "The TRUTH about LFTB" next Tuesday afternoon.  I wish I could make it over to Ames for the meeting, but a 3 hour drive stands in my way :(  It is the public appearances such as these, and the easy to read diagrams (below) that will continue to shed light on the inclusion of LFTB in US ground beef.  

This diagram has picked up some popularity over the weekend and I must agree it was quite informational.  One of the big misconceptions about the production of LFTB is that ammonium hydroxide is injected into the beef and remains present in highly toxic levels.  But as you can see, minuscule concentrations of ammonium hydroxide are present in beef, 1/2 of what is in the bun and 1/4 of what is found in cheese!  Now I must make it clear I am not passing the blame onto other commodity groups.  Ammonium hydroxide is a naturally occurring substance in our own bodies, and it is a fairly accurate measure to prevent the growth of bacteria such as E Coli.  


LFTB is a safe, economical, and lean addition to anyone's diet!  


We need to remember these ideas and most importantly that beef is beef.  And with that being said, I really need to remember to quit blogging before lunch, this chic is starving, and that cartooned hamburger is making me realllllllllllllllly hungry--sad and strange as that may sound, ha!  I guess it is true that real women eat beef! ciao!