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: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.