No Pink Slime in Rye City School Burgers

Over the last week, there has been a media frenzy over the use of a controversial meat by-product in school district food programs across the country. In response to parental concerns, Rye City School District recently released a statement to assure the community that product was not in use in their meal program.

During the last board meeting, a parent asked about use of what has been dubbed "pink slime" in the district's food services program. According to John Rubbo, district food services director, the product is not used in the school system at all.

Rubbo said he is working to compile certifications from all the district's meat vendors affirming they do not distribute the product to the district. Those certifications will be made available to the public.

Parents were also concerned that the product was included with food products provided for the federal free and reduced meal program. Rubbo said Rye City Schools funds its own free and reduced meal program and does not receive the subsidized food product.

While its critics have dubbed it "pink slime," the beef industry has launched a full on public relations campaign against the term used to describe processed ground beef. The beef industry describes "Lean Finely Textured Beef" as undergoing a process to separate fat and create a final product that is 90 percent lean meat. While critics describe the product as being treated with ammonia, meat producers downplay any alarm pointing out ammonium hydroxide has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration since 1974.

According to a report from the International Food Information Council Foundation, ammonium hydroxide is also used in some baked goods, cheeses and chocolates. Dairy products, fruit, vegetables, breakfast cereal, sports drinks and beer are also among the products that may legally treated with ammonium hydroxide.