Prohibits the sale of food and food products containing boneless lean beef trimmings, commonly referred to as "pink slime", in schools

BILL NUMBER:S6786

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the sale of food and food products containing boneless lean beef trimmings, commonly referred to as "pink slime", in schools

Purpose

Prohibits the sale of food and food products containing boneless lean beef trimmings, commonly referred to as "pink slime", in schools.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 915-a to read as follows:

§ 915-a. Prohibiting the sale of food and food products containing boneless lean beef trimmings. 1. No food or food product containing boneless lean beef trimmings shall be sold in any public school within the state.

2. For purposes of this section the term "boneless lean beef trimmings" shall mean and refer to the industrial product commonly referred to as "pink slime" which is created by passing bones through a centrifuge after the limits of mechanically trimming such bones has been reached in order to salvage any meaty materials remaining on such bones, and then exposing such meaty materials to ammonia gas as a disinfectant treatment.

Existing law

New bill.

Justification

Whenever a cow is butchered there are pieces that are cut off that aren't considered "for" human consumption. There is a greater risk for E. coli and other nasty stuff in those parts of the cow. These parts are typically used mainly just for pet food. Using a centrifuge they can separate the fat from the meat. Once they salvage this meat, there still is the concern of potential illness to humans. The chemical ammonia is ten used to kill whatever bacteria may still exist. McDonald's, Burger King, and Taco Bell, once known to use this product have all stopped using pink slime. At a time when we as a state and even as a nation are pulling together to promote healthier life styles and eating habits, why would we subject our children to eating food that has until now only been fed to our animals? Students within our schools whose bodies and minds are growing and in need of the highest forms of nutrition, should not be subjected to eating substandard food products that hold very little if any nutritional value.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Local fiscal implications

Not applicable.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law.