Recent news that McDonald's hamburgers used to be processed with a chemical mixture of ammonia hydroxide begs the question: Do consumers really know what they are getting in their food products, and should the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) require food manufacturers to notify consumers of their practices?
Ammonia hydroxide is used in household cleaning products and fertilizers, but for McDonald's food manufacturing plants, it was just a product used to sanitize offcuts or scraps of meat — read, the less desirable parts. Pink slime, the combination of this chemical and meats like beef or chicken, helps to extend the shelf life of these meats while also ridding the food of bacteria.
The USDA classifies this compound as “generally recognized as safe” the agency knows that other food chains and manufacturers still continue to use this compound to process their meats. As of August of last year, McDonald's had stopped using the chemical in their supply chain, but it is interesting that the public is just now hearing of what was in their food.
While companies may argue that dispensing information about certain food production techniques may unnecessarily ward off consumers by creating fear of the product in question — especially when government agencies like the FDA and USDA have cleared them — I believe that is up to the consumer to decide. If the product is “safe” for consumption like the FDA and USDA claim, then the consumer can choose to take that advice should the McDonald's hamburger be something they still want to eat. However, if like me or many other food justice advocates across the country, a consumer has a problem with eating a food product that is processed with the same chemicals we use to clean our bathroom, they would want to be aware so they can say no to that Mickey D’s hamburger.
For those in the know about food justice and farming methods, documentaries such as Food Inc. made a segment of the U.S. population aware of particular fillers and chemical products placed in the fast foods that millions of Americans consume on a daily basis. (For more information, the International Business Times further listed foods that contain interesting additives in their article on the McDonald's pink slime issue). In the United States alone, there are approximately 12,804 McDonald's restaurants, which means that the company influences the diets of many Americans.
Food justice advocate and chef Jamie Oliver, perhaps known for his exposé on pink slime, has said of the issue, “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."
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Discussion
The problem is that these chemicals aren't necessarily safe. With all the greed and corruption surrounding the food industry, FDA, and USDA, there is no way I believe that a highly processed meat is good for me. Especially after being force fed GMO corn and injected with hormones, then unnaturally herded together and brought down an assembly line to be slaughtered. I just don't see "safe" food in all of that.
Statements like "processed with the same chemicals we use to clean our bathroom" make for nice sound bites, but remember that water is the main thing you clean your bathroom with - better take water out of everything. How about an informed discussion on the true pros & cons of the manuf process?
(*ammonium hydroxide)
Most of what I think has already been said - if it's deemed safe, through a rigorous testing process, then it's fine to go in food. Companies aren't allowed to casually slop in chemicals that aren't fit for human consumption!
Just because it sounds like a "nasty chemical" and looks gross, doesn't mean it's bad. Even if you told customers that their burger had ammonium hydroxide in it, how many would actually know what that was, and make an informed decision? I agree there should be a way for people to find out what's in their food, but let's not whip up hype about it.
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The last time I saw pink slime used, someone hosed down the statue of liberty with it and broke into an evil museum to save a baby.
I wonder if the number of sick or poisoned customers has increased since they discontinued use of the disinfectant...
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"While companies may argue that dispensing information about certain food production techniques may unnecessarily ward off consumers by creating fear of the product in question — especially when government agencies like the FDA and USDA have cleared them — I believe that is up to the consumer to decide."
Right on.
Sad to say but I pretty much think McDonalds could wrap a turd in their label and people would by it by the millions.
My name is Lawrence, and I'm a McRib eater....
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"the same chemicals we use to clean our bathroom"
...is spin substituted for facts.
If the chemicals I use to clean my bathroom were safe and delicious, then I would eat them by the spoonful.
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Is anyone NOT aware that almost no matter what you eat at McDonald's there is going to be something wrong with it if you're looking for a healthy meal? For the longest time they couldn't call their nuggets "chicken" because they didn't meat (haw haw) the criteria. If you're going to McDonald's for things that are any way good for you, you've missed the point of McDonald's.
I don't know why people are constantly shocked by things like this are going on. If you're looking for quality or at the very least meat not made out of goo, go buy some Chipotle, Five Guys, or even just a deli sandwich from the supermarket.
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Interesting article. (mic'd for awareness).
I believe that information should be available at the establishments website with justification, GRAS, or whatever truthful information is available. Those with suspicions can look beyond the company explanation to the actual information and make their own decisions.
(you didn't state this) But, to compel any company to "print" or disclose inside their restaurants how every detail of every dish is prepared is beyond bureaucratic heaven and the bane of capitalism and confuses unknowledgeable consumers.
There is a moral to the story of the boy who called "wolf". It is don't raise an alarm unless the threat is real. However, in that same regard, to be informed of facts is the best policy.
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" However, if like me or many other food justice advocates across the country, a consumer has a problem with eating a food product that is processed with the same chemicals we use to clean our bathroom, they would want to be aware so they can say no to that Mickey D’s hamburger."
I'm not entirely sure where you come down on the "Pink Slime" disclosure. You obviously know McDonald's uses it and that it's probably safe, but you imply that it's harmful and consumers should be made aware of its use.
If you actually believe it's harmful and should be regulated, is there any evidence for those assertions?
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There are a lot of things that the FDA recognizes as safe that I don't want in my burgers, but I'd definitely preserve the freedom of fast-food restaurants to prepare food using whichever safe ingredients they want. That freedom should come hand in hand with the responsibility (already extant) to fully disclose all ingredients beyond proprietary flavorings (e.g. the Colonel's secret blend).
The FDA should provide a standard, less-loaded way to identify meat products that are treated by ammonium hydroxide; once that is done, it should be vigilant regarding the accurate posting of such ingredients in restaurants. Watchdog groups may shout the damning information from the rooftops, but it is a consumer's responsibility to stay informed.
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Most of the uproar seems over the "ick" factor more than anything else. If it's safe, let consumers decide.
The FDA has this as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The FDA is under scrutiny and pressure to up their standards and enforcement. What's going on in the dietary supplement industry is a prime example. FDA lists "pink slime" as GRAS. End of story.
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Honestly, I think that the majority of consumers who are eating at a McDonalds are not going to change their buying behaviors based on finding out that there's some "fancy pink stuff" that they use to process it. Their consumption is based on lack of good alts, not that they like/want McDonalds.
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When I was younger, I often ate at McDonalds and other fast food restaurants. But when I started becoming informed of the factory farms from which they receive their meat and of the disgusting food manufacturing processes, I never went back. While the average consumer realizes the health repercussions of fast food, I don't think they realize the gravity of the situation.
I'm all for greater awareness.
Pink slime, please. How about McDonald's having to label their products which contain Genetically Modified Foods, I bet customers want to know that, I mean yeah tell me about the Pink slime, that is gross and unhealthy. GM foods are dangerous, I know I don't want it in my body.
When you ask someone who is a toxicologist whether arsenic is deadly, they will usually say it is. When you as a toxicologist the same question, they will be more likely to say it depends on the amount. It's not clear how unsafe pink slime is - the only conjecture is that there are chemicals in it.
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