Update: ‘Pink Slime’ Defamation Suit Against ABC

Mar 28, 2014

A South Dakota judged denied to throw out a defamation lawsuit against ABC News for its coverage of the meat product known as lean–finely-textured-beef, which has been dubbed by some as “pink slime.”

The company Beef Products Inc. sued the network in 2012 for $1.2 billion in damages. They are claiming that ABC’s coverage prompted the closure of three of its plants by misleading consumers that the beef was unsafe by referring to it as “pink slime.”

ABC’s defense team argue that the network did make mention that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified this product as safe to eat. This was allegedly said in each of its broadcasts on the topic.

The judge ruled that the television network is not protected against liability because it mentioned that the product was safe to eat.

The ruling was a preliminary motion to dismiss. The next step is starting discovery and ultimately presenting the case to a jury.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.