News

Hy-Vee reverses decision on LFTB

The Hy-Vee grocery store chain has reversed its decision to stop using lean-finely-textured-beef (LFTB) in its ground beef products.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, joined by former Iowa Governor and US Ag Secterary Tom Vilsack, told reporters Tuesday he has convinced the chain that the product is safe.

“I want to express my appreciation to Hy Vee, which is a great grocery chain headquartered here in Iowa, that they are going to continue to make this product available to their customers,” says Branstad.

Branstad says he’s also going to appeal to other grocery store chains that announced this week they were dropping the product based on concerns over an ABC news report calling it “pink slime.”

“For over 30 years,” says Branstad, “People like me have been eating this along with my family. It’s 100-percent beef and it’s a good quality product and it’s lower in cost. And, besides that, it’s safer because it kills the E. coli.”

Vilsack says he will continue to tell all media outlets that the product is not harmful.

“This product is safe. There’s no question about it. We have said that repeatedly. We will continue to say it,” says Secretary Vilsack.

Five other major grocery store chains have announced they will no longer use LTFB.

~Radio Iowa contributed to this report~