Pink slime court case settles

No apologies and no retractions but the ABC News/Beef Products Inc ‘pink slime’ libel case has settled after 18 days in court. While the terms of the settlement, including its amount, are confidential, BPI is reportedly “extraordinarily pleased”.

“While this has not been an easy road to travel, it was necessary to begin rectifying the harm we suffered as a result of what we believed to be biased and baseless reporting in 2012,” the statement said. “Through this process, we have again established what we all know to be true about lean finely textured beef: it is beef, and is safe, wholesome and nutritious.”

Lean finely textured beef (LFTB) was called ‘pink slime’ some 350 times by the ABC in its 2012 program and this created a consumer backlash that resulted in the closure of three LFTB plants and more than 700 people losing their jobs.

If BPI had won the court case the damages payable by ABC News may have been trebled because of the punitive damages imposed by South Dakota’s Agricultural Food Products Disparagement Act. The prospect of a US$5.7 million payout led the parent of the ABC Walt Disney Company to include this lawsuit in 10-Q reports to shareholders filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

In a written statement from ABC spokeswoman Julie Townsend, the network said the “amicable resolution” of the lawsuit was in the network’s best interests.

“Throughout this case, we have maintained that our reports accurately presented the facts and views of knowledgeable people about this product,” Townsend said. “Although we have concluded that continued litigation of this case in not in the company’s interests, we remain committed to the vigorous pursuit of truth and the consumer’s right to know about the products they purchase.”