Pink Slime....ewwwww

When we turn our televisions on after a long day of work, and begin the daily process of de-stressing our bodies and minds as we unwind, usually many of us turn on the news, and ironically it can cause us more stress. Health is a common issue that arises throughout many news articles, where it seems as if every month there is an epidemic sweeping the nation or an outbreak of a super bug that is threatening our population. Lately, there has been talk about a substance in our meat called “pink slime” which is said to be a beef filler in order to achieve the “finely textured beef” these companies promise. In this avecinia health update blog, we will be discuss what “pink slime” is and whether it can cause us real harm!

To set the record straight, "pink slime" is not unsafe. That doesn’t mean it’s exactly safe or good for you either. This filler byproduct is made by running scraps from meat cuttings through a processor that removes the fat from the trimmings. The beef is usually treated with ammonia to kill bacteria such as E. Coli and salmonella, a process that has been a subject of suspicion and debate despite claims that it is harmless. According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition and public health at New York University, the substance is safe but still raises issues, “It is not dangerous at all. The question is whether it’s socially acceptable,” says Ms. Nestle. “Humans don’t usually eat byproducts. Just because it’s safe doesn’t mean it’s acceptable.” The issue raised is not the question whether this product is safe or not, but whether labels should disclose that the product contains “pink slime” and then consumers would be able to decide for themselves if they’d wish to purchase it or not. "Pink slime" is found in retail ground beef, low-fat hotdogs, lunch meat, beef sticks, pepperoni, frozen entrees, meatballs, and canned foods. Until early this year, fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King used the filler in their beef products.

"Pink slim" isn’t an immediate risk, and there are no proven side effects from eating products that contain it (but eating a lot of processed foods can have its own detrimental health effects). This is definitely a reminder of how very important it is to know exactly what we are putting in our mouths. Reading labels on food products is a must and always try to choose organic products over processed. Hopefully this recent controversy has been a wake-up call to the reality of what these food industries are capable of. Take control of what you eat and be sure to ask your primary care provider, such as the doctors and health experts at avecinia wellness center, for any tips and useful suggestion on how to improve your diet for the best.

This blog was written by Dania Abdul-Resoul, an intern at avecinia wellness center.  Dania is a pre-physical therapy student at Cal State Fresno.


For daily updates on news, information and more on health care and wellness, join avecinia wellness center's facebook page and follow avecinia on twitter . avecinia wellness center is Fresno's premier integrative medicine and wellness center. We combine internal medicine and primary care with health management, weight management, acupuncture, aesthetics (Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Obagi and more) and massage therapy for a holistic approach to health. We use a robust electronic health record program and patient web portal to enhance our delivery of services and to help our patients reach their optimal well-being. To learn more, visit www.avecinia.com. If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Fresno or the Central Valley and would like to become a part of the avecinia family, visit our website and click on new patient registration. Let Dr. Unaiza Hayat and/or Ali Kunkel, MPA, PA-C, become your trusted guides. Our Aesthetic, Weight Management, Acupuncture, Health Management and Massage Therapy services do not require us to be your primary care physician. Learn more at www.avecinia.com.We look forward to meeting you!