Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/18/10

National Meat Association Director of Communications Jeremy Russell wrote a letter to the editor published in Sunday's New York Times that took exception to an article that questioned the efficacy of Beef Products Inc.'s ammonia treatment of beef to kill pathogens, and a subsequent editorial on the same topic.

"Instead of encouraging efforts to improve food safety, you demonize a company that had the courage to invest in innovative technology proved to be effective in reducing dangerous pathogens," Russell wrote. "Beef Products Inc.'s rate of positives is well below industry averages."

Published on Saturday was a letter from Mandy Carr Johnson, executive director of Research for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association defending the meat industry in general.

"I've been involved in beef safety research since college, and I don't recognize the industry you've depicted in recent articles," Johnson wrote. "I know the people of the beef industry, and I'm proud of the work we do every day to provide safe food."

To read the letters in their entirety, click here. 

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