Supervalu the Latest to Dump Finely Textured Beef

Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc. has decided to no longer purchase fresh ground beef containing lean finely textured beef for any of its traditional retail stores, effective immediately.

These stores include Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher’s, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw’s/Star Market, Shop ‘n Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

“We are currently working with our suppliers to implement this change,” said Mike Siemienas, Supervalu’s national media manager. “While it’s important to remember there are no food safety concerns with products containing finely textured beef, this decision was made due to ongoing customer concerns over these products.”

Siemienas noted that all current beef products in Supervalu stores “meet strict safety and quality standards approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

Supervalu is the latest grocery chain to distance itself from lean finely textured beef. Dubbed “pink slime” by its detractors, it’s formed from beef trimmings and treated with ammonium hydroxide gas to minimize bacteria growth, and used as filler for ground beef products.

Safeway also announced it would not purchase grinds that include finely textured beef. Publix, HEB, Whole Foods and Costco are among other retailers that have stated they do not sell beef that includes the filler.