News

Packers testify in BPI-ABC trial

Jurors in the defamation lawsuit trial involving Beef Products Incorporated (BPI) and ABC News heard from some representatives of the beef packing industry on Thursday.

The Sioux City Journal reports that each of the eight packers testified that ABC’s continued references to “pink slime” to describe BPI’s Lean Finely Textured Beef crippled the product with inaccurate reports.

Kim Tonheim with Schenk Packing Company said ABC “did not do their homework”. Kevin Butler of American Foods Group said ABC “misrepresented the product as a whole”. They disputed ABC’s claim that the meat came from scraps, and that it was less nutritious and lower in quality.

The Journal reports BPI could rest its case next week, giving ABC the opportunity to present its defense.