USDA announced that it will offer more choices to schools in the National School Lunch Programs when it comes to purchases of ground beef products.  USDA will provide schools with a choice to order product either with or without Lean Finely Textured Beef. 

According to USDA, this is in response to requests from school districts throughout the country.  In a statement, USDA said it “continues to affirm the safety of Lean Finely Textured Beef product for all consumers and urges customers to consult science-based information on the safety and quality of this product.”

Lean Finely Textured Beef is a meat product derived from a process that separates fatty pieces from beef trimmings to reduce the overall fat content.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said, “Cattlemen and women nationwide firmly agree with USDA’s commitment to ensuring the health and safety of the food served to more than 31 million schoolchildren every day.

The fact remains that lean, finely textured beef is a 100% beef product produced from beef trimmings that yields an additional 10-12 lb. of lean, nutritious beef from every beef animal. The production of lean, finely textured beef prevents lean, nutritious beef from being wasted. This lean beef product, like all beef, is naturally rich in nutrients like zinc, iron, protein and B vitamins.”