Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 120798

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 120798

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-478-12

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: ''PINK SLIME'' IN FOOD

Introduced: 4/18/2012

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 6/5/2012

Agenda Date: 6/5/2012

Agenda Item Number: 11A7

Notes:

X120799 AT 6/5/12 BCC ONLY

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST NOT TO ENTER INTO, RENEW OR EXTEND ANY CONTRACTS FOR FOOD SERVICES RELATED TO A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST FUNDED OR OPERATED FOOD PROGRAM UNLESS THE CONTRACTOR, VENDOR, SUPPLIER OR GRANTEE AGREES NOT TO USE MEAT PRODUCTS CONTAINING ''PINK SLIME'' IN FOOD PROVIDED OR SERVED AS PART OF A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OPERATED OR FUNDED FOOD PROGRAM; URGING ALL CURRENT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST CONTRACTORS, VENDORS, SUPPLIERS OR GRANTEES WHO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICES FOR A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST FUNDED OR OPERATED FOOD PROGRAM TO IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE USING MEAT PRODUCTS CONTAINING ''PINK SLIME'' IN FOOD PROVIDED OR SERVED AS PART OF A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OPERATED OR FUNDED FOOD PROGRAM (SEE AGENDA ITEM NO. 11A25)

Indexes:	PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST
	CONTRACTS
	MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Sponsors:	Dennis C. Moss, Prime Sponsor
	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor
	Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
	Barbara J. Jordan, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	6/5/2012	11A7	Adopted				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Moss read text on pages three and four of the foregoing resolution talking about the components and processing of pink slime. He reviewed the “NOW, THEREFORE,” clause of the resolution. Commissioner Moss pointed out that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had prohibited using the brain matter, brain stem matter and spinal cord matter of the cow in the cows’ feed, because of a great concern about mad cow disease; however, those parts were being placed in ground beef sold or given to people. Commissioner Moss said it was not definitive that these parts caused mad cow disease, cancer, or other illnesses; but the fact that major companies identified in this resolution had announced they would not use pink slime in their products said something. Commissioner Bovo’s inquired what kind of meat products the slime was being used in, what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had opined about this issue, and whether organic ground beef contained pink slime. Commissioner Moss replied that the slime was being used in ground beef, as a filler. He explained that the FDA had not opined on the issue; it was just asking companies to voluntarily reflect on the products that they used this type of filler in their products. Commissioner Moss noted that the FDA had been wrong on other food additives and it was later found out that these additives caused cancer. He noted he did not know whether organic ground beef contained pink slime. In response to Commissioner Bovo’s question of whether Commissioner Moss was proposing that the County not enter into any agreements or purchases with companies that used this filler, Commissioner Moss said that was correct. He indicated he wanted to emulate what Miami Dade County Public Schools and other county agencies had done. He also indicated that this resolution’s directives were specific to county business. Commissioner Bovo said that he would support the item. Commissioner Bell noted her research of pink slime on the Internet included comments from Iowa State and other universities. She noted that some of her findings said cereal, pudding, cheese, gelatin, egg products, and baked goods were processed in the same manner as “pink slime,” which was a mislabeling of “lean, finely textured beef.” She noted that if the County considered ingredients in sausage, hot dogs, and bologna, the Commission may be asking for a ban on those foods as well. She said she would not support this resolution because she did not think the County should be meddling with an FDA-approved item and the filler’s preparation process was safe. Commissioner Bell indicated that traditional beef contained 18 to 20 grams of fat per serving, while the filler contained 7 grams of fat per serving. Commissioner Diaz stated he supported the item, because he and other members of the Commission had undergone a lot healthwise, he wanted to be more aware of food ingredients, and food should be kept as healthy as possible. He indicated that the FDA approved things and later admitted fault in doing so. Chairman Martinez indicated he supported this resolution because it dealt only with what the County chose to spend on its products, and otherwise did not deal with the private sector. Commissioner Souto asked if it was possible to amend this resolution to include in the library system a nutrition section to include pamphlets and books promoting healthy eating and lifestyles. County Attorney Robert Cuevas stated that Commissioner Souto’s request could be addressed separately, but not as a part of this item. Chairman Martinez asked the county attorney to prepare a resolution directing the County Administration to ensure that all the public libraries maintained a section of information on good nutrition and healthy lifestyles, as requested by Commissioner Souto. Hearing no further discussion, the Commission voted on the proposed resolution as presented.

Public Safety & Healthcare Admin Cmte	5/8/2012	2D	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Gerald Sanchez read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Chairman Diaz opened the public hearing on the foregoing proposed resolution. He closed the public hearing after no one appeared wishing to speak. Commissioner Jordan commended Commissioner Moss for sponsoring this proposed resolution. Commissioner Souto also commended Commissioner Moss and stressed the importance of ensuring what people eat and/or drink was safe. Commissioner Bell explained that pink slime was actually called lean finely textured beef (LFTB) and noted, during a recent radio discussion she heard, a nutritionist commented on the safety of this product and opined that the public outcry was caused by hype in the food industry. She stated she would support this item, however, stressed the need for scientific evidence that pink slime was unsafe. Commissioner Bovo asked staff to provide a report on the fiscal impact to implement this proposal. Commissioner Jordan read, for the record, the description of pink slime which stated it was collected waste trimmings that could possibly be exposed to fecal matter; that was boiled to separate the fatty tissue then mixed in a centrifuge, frozen, and added as a filler to beef. She expressed her support of this proposed resolution and asked that she be listed as a co-sponsor. Chairman Diaz also asked to be listed as a co-sponsor of this proposed resolution. There being no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote.

County Attorney	4/18/2012		Assigned	Annery Pulgar Alfonso		4/18/2012

County Attorney	4/18/2012		Referred	Public Safety & Healthcare Admin Cmte	5/8/2012

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST NOT TO ENTER INTO, RENEW OR EXTEND ANY CONTRACTS FOR FOOD SERVICES RELATED TO A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST FUNDED OR OPERATED FOOD PROGRAM UNLESS THE CONTRACTOR, VENDOR, SUPPLIER OR GRANTEE AGREES NOT TO USE MEAT PRODUCTS CONTAINING �PINK SLIME� IN FOOD PROVIDED OR SERVED AS PART OF A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OPERATED OR FUNDED FOOD PROGRAM; URGING ALL CURRENT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST CONTRACTORS, VENDORS, SUPPLIERS OR GRANTEES WHO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICES FOR A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST FUNDED OR OPERATED FOOD PROGRAM TO IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE USING MEAT PRODUCTS CONTAINING �PINK SLIME� IN FOOD PROVIDED OR SERVED AS PART OF A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OR PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST OPERATED OR FUNDED FOOD PROGRAM

BODY
WHEREAS, the meat industry is adding low-grade beef trimmings, known in the industry as �lean finely textured beef� and now widely known as �pink slime,� to most ground beef as an inexpensive filler; and
WHEREAS, the low-grade beef trimmings come from the parts of the cow most likely to harbor pathogens, often close to the hide, which is highly exposed to fecal matter; and
WHEREAS, �pink slime� was once only used in dog food and cooking oil; and
WHEREAS, �pink slime� is made by gathering waste trimmings, such as fatty beef byproducts and connective tissue, simmering them�at�low heat so the fat separates easily from the muscle, and spinning the trimmings using a centrifuge to complete the separation; and
WHEREAS, the beef trimmings mixture is then sent through pipes where it is sprayed with ammonia gas to kill bacteria; and
WHEREAS, the process is completed by packaging the filler into bricks, freezing the filler and shipping it to grocery stores and meat packers, where it is added to most ground beef; and
WHEREAS, several United States food manufacturers, including ConAgra Foods Inc., Sara Lee Corporation, and Kraft Foods Inc., publicly stated in early 2012 that they do not use �pink slime� in their meat products; and
WHEREAS, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Publix, Whole Foods Market, and H-E-B also announced in March 2012 that they do not sell meat products containing the low-grade ammonia treated filler; and
WHEREAS, in March 2012 Safeway, SUPERVALU, Kroger, and Food Lion announced that they will no longer carry meat products containing �pink slime� due to customer concerns; and
WHEREAS, McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Burger King announced in early 2012 that their meat products will no longer contain �pink slime;� and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture announced in March 2012 that beginning in fall 2012, the United States National School Lunch Program will allow participating school districts to decide whether or not to purchase ground beef containing �pink slime;� and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, one of the nation's largest school districts, stated that it will choose �pink-slime-free� beef; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture announced in April 2012 that it agreed to allow voluntary labeling of meat products containing �pink slime;� and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture has never and currently does not require the labeling of meat products containing �pink slime;� and
WHEREAS, this Board would like to acknowledge the consumer concerns regarding the low-grade ammonia treated filler,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs Miami-Dade County and the Public Health Trust not to enter into, renew or extend any contracts for food services related to a Miami-Dade County or Public Health Trust funded or operated food program unless the contractor, vendor, supplier or grantee agrees in writing as part of the contract, renewal or extension that it will not use meat products containing �pink slime� in food that is provided or served as part of a Miami-Dade County or Public Health Trust operated or funded food program, including but not limited to Head Start / Early Head Start Program, Meals for the Elderly, and Elderly Meals on Wheels.
Section 2. Urges all current Miami-Dade County and Public Health Trust contractors, vendors, suppliers or grantees who provide food services for a Miami-Dade County or Public Health Trust funded or operated food program to immediately discontinue using meat products containing �pink slime� in food that is provided or served as part of a Miami-Dade County or Public Health Trust operated or funded food program.
Section 3. Directs the County Mayor or Mayor's designee to provide a copy of this resolution to all contractors, vendors, suppliers or grantees that have an existing contract with Miami-Dade County or the Public Health Trust for food services related to a Miami-Dade County or Public Health Trust funded or operated food program.
Section 4. This resolution shall not be construed to illegally impair any previously existing valid written contractual commitment.