Pink Slime Maker Slaps ABC With Defamation Suit

Apparently demand for their product has decreased
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 13, 2012 11:11 AM CDT
Pink Slime Maker Slaps ABC With Defamation Suit
Lean finely textured beef, better known as "pink slime," is frozen on a large drum as part of its manufacturing process at the Beef Products Inc.'s plant in South Sioux City, Neb., March 29, 2012.   (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

Beef Products Inc. is suing ABC News in general and several of its anchors specifically for defamation over its reports on BPI's "lean finely-textured beef" product—better known as "pink slime." The lawsuit alleges that ABC falsely led viewers to believe that the beef was not safe, healthy, or even meat, Reuters reports. BPI says that the reports reduced demand for its product, and it's demanding $400 million in compensation and damages.

The suit names Diane Sawyer, Jim Avila, David Kerley, and others. ABC was hardly alone in reporting on the slime controversy. The term "pink slime" was coined by a USDA scientist, one of several who remain outspoken critics of the product. Since the controversy broke, BPI has had to close three of its four plants. "The lawsuit is without merit," one ABC executive said. "We will contest it vigorously." (More pink slime stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X