ABC News Sued Over “Pink Slime” Defamation

Sep 13, 2012

Beef Products Inc. Sues ABC News Over “Pink Slime” Coverage

ABC News is being sued by Beef Products Inc. for defamation over its coverage of a meat product often referred to “pink slime” also known in the beef industry as lean finely textured beef. It’s used as a food additive in ground beef and beef-based processed meat. The South Dakota based company is seeking $1.2 billion in damages for 200 defamatory statements about the product, saying that the network misled consumers into believing that the product was unhealthy and unsafe.

The news network isn’t only under fire but also several individuals, including ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer and a microbiologist who coined the term “pink slime.” The following is an excerpt from the company’s official announcement about the lawsuit. ABC’s lawyer – Jeffrey Schneider said that the “lawsuit is without merit” and that they will “contest it vigorously".

Following the coverage, the company had to close three out of its four U.S. plants, lying off over 650 people. The company is claiming that they lost 80 percent of their business in less than a month. The product is supported by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and he has publically said that the government wouldn’t allow the product for human consumption if it wasn’t safe and was approved back in 2004.

Video: Environmental Effects on Sow Fertility - Dr. Isabela Bez

In this special episode celebrating International Women's Day of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, we bring Dr. Isabela Bez, a veterinarian and PhD student in Brazil, who explains how temperature and light regimes influence sow reproductive performance. She discusses seasonal infertility, climate adaptation, and why environmental monitoring inside barns is critical for herd efficiency. The episode highlights practical management strategies to reduce reproductive losses and improve outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms. "Environmental factors are actually very important on sow reproduction, and sometimes these are the factors that producers tend to not pay attention." Meet the guest: Dr. Isabela Bez / isabela-cristina-cola%c3%a7o-bez-1753381b0 is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Science at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Brazil. Her work focuses on swine reproduction, nutrition, and animal welfare, with strong expertise in environmental effects on sow performance. She collaborates with international farms and research groups to improve reproductive efficiency through applied science.