Community rally held to support 'pink slime' maker

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - The main producer of the lean beef trimmings that critics call "pink slime" continues to have the support of the community where the company is based.

Several thousand people attended a picnic in Sioux City Saturday to support Beef Products Inc. and dine on hamburgers made with its beef.

BPI's beef has drawn extra scrutiny because of concerns about the ammonium hydroxide it treats meat with to slightly change the acidity of the beef and kill bacteria.

The company defends its product as safe, and says it has been used in ground beef for years.

Sioux City resident Jose Lopez says he did his own Internet research after hearing concerns about BPI's products. Lopez says he decided the meat is safe, so he brought his family to the picnic.