HOUSTON – Kroger admitted Monday that it does allow finely textured lean beef, also known as "pink slime," in some of its meat products. The beef filler is made from low-grade trimmings that are simmered in low heat.
The fat and tissue are separated using a centrifuge. It is then sprayed with ammonia gas to kill germs.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it is safe to eat, which is why Cincinnati-based Kroger allowed it in their meat.
But the chain said there are plenty of options for shoppers who don't want the so-called pink slime in their meat.
The spokeswoman for Kroger's Cincinnati/Dayton division released the following email statement to the Business Courier Newspaper.
"Kroger carries ground beef both with and without lean finely textured beef. For customers who choose to avoid it, we offer a variety of options including Kroger's Private Selection Angus Ground Chuck, Round and Sirloin; Private Selection All Natural Ground Beef and Private Selection Organic Ground Beef solid in 1 lb. packages, labeled 80% lean and above; Laura's Lean Ground Beef; and ground beef prepared in store. All ground beef you find at your local Kroger is USDA-regulated, inspected and approved for food safety and quality. That includes beef products made with lean finely textured beef."
The paper also contacted H-E-B and Whole Foods. Both of those chains said they do not use lean finely textured beef in their products.
Safeway, which runs Randalls, told the paper it is reviewing the matter.