TPS says no ‘pink slime’ for coming school year - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Pink slime is making headlines again, as schools across the country are refusing to order the controversial beef filler. On Tuesday, Toledo Public Schools announced pink slime will not be on the menu in any of its cafeterias. 

It's already banned from human consumption in the UK. McDonald's and Taco Bell refuse to serve it, and now it's being booted off school lunch trays across the country.

Rey Debroas is the Director of Food and Child Nutrition at TPS. He says the district will not order the ammonia treated meat this upcoming school year.

"We can choose a different grade of beef, 80/20, 90/10, without that pink slime," he says.

This year marks the first time schools have had the opportunity to order a leaner, more nutritious beef product.

Students in three states, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, will continue to eat the ammonia treated beef.  All other states, including Ohio and Michigan, have opted out.

TPS normally uses anywhere between 60,000 and 70,000 pounds of beef during a year. Last year the cost was $2.10 per pound.

"The year before it was $1.90, so it's market price," says Debroas. "So when the USDA buys that volume in beef, they get a better price, and we pay a lower price than what you can find at the grocery store."

Debroas says next school year the district will serve more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less protein with the hope of teaching kids about proper nutrition.

The USDA continues to stand behind the controversial beef filler. They say it's safe, affordable, and nutritious.