McDonald’s Take “Pink Slime” Off Their Menus
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McDonald’s are no longer using ammonia hydroxide, labelled “pink slime” by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, in its hamburger patties, confirmed a press release by the fast-food chain this week, with mounting consumer pressure forcing the company to revise its recipes.
McDonald’s are no longer using ammonia hydroxide, labelled “pink slime” by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, in its hamburger patties, confirmed a press release by the fast-food chain this week, with mounting consumer pressure forcing the company to revise its recipes.
The “pink slime” – a gel-like substance made of discarded beef cuts treated with ammonium hydroxide to kill bacteria – had been the subject of a public outcry after numerous media outlets, including Jamie Oliver’s show Food Revolution and the New York Times, revealed its use in McDonald’s outlets across the world.
Related: McDonald’s Profit Surges 11%, Thanks to Menu Revamps and Longer Operating Hours
Though the product was apparently approved for its safety by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), many members of the public still revolted at the thought of consuming food laced with ammonia, which is more commonly used in household cleaners, fertilisers, and home-made bombs.
[quote]”Basically, we’re taking a product that would be sold at the cheapest form for dogs and after this process we can give it to humans,” said Oliver on his show.[/quote]The celebrity chef also expressed concern that over 70 percent of all burgers made in the US contained the “pink slime”, and has started a campaign to get school cafeterias and fast food chains to put an end to its use.
McDonald’s on its part though insisted that their decision had not been influenced by Oliver’s campaign, but rather because of their “efforts to align our global standards for how we (they) source beef around the world.”
We are always reviewing and evolving our standards to ensure we continue to serve safe, high quality food to our customers,” said McDonald’s Senior Director of Quality Systems Todd Bacon.
Two other fast-food chains, Burger King and Taco Bell, have also “bowed to pressure and removed ammonium hydroxide processed ingredients from their products,” reported the Daily Mail.
Jamie Oliver himself has also expressed satisfaction at McDonald’s decision, calling for “the great American public…to urgently understand what their food industry is doing.”
“Why would any sensible human being want to put ammonia-filled meat into their children’s mouths?” questioned Oliver.
Watch: Jamie Oliver Presenting On The Use of “Pink Slime” (May Be Disturbing To Some Readers)
