ABC Sued for ‘Pink Slime’ Defamation

September 14, 2012 - 9:33 am | Category: Money

A South Dakota meat company filed a defamation suit against ABC News Thursday claiming that the network hurt their business by labeling their beef additive “pink slime.”

Beef Products Inc., or BPI for short, is seeking $1.2 billion in damages. The company produces what the meat industry refers to as “lean, finely textured beef.” It’s made from beef trimmings that are chemically treated with ammonium hydroxide to protect against bacteria.

Dann Webb, a lawyer representing BPI, says by calling their meat “pink slime,” ABC led consumers to believe their meat “is some type of unhealthy and repulsive liquid product that is not even meat.”

ABC said “the lawsuit is without merit” and they “will contest it vigorously.”