Former BPI employee files suit against Jamie Oliver, Diane Sawyer, others
An employee of Beef Products Inc. who lost his job as a result of the “pink slime” controversy is suing ABC News, anchor Diane Sawyer, chef Jamie Oliver and others, saying that their use of the phrase “pink slime” cost him his job. Bruce Smith was one of the 750 people laid off by BPI when the company shut down three of its four processing plants that made lean finely textured beef, dubbed “pink slime” by critics. He is seeking $70,000 in damages, reports the Los Angeles Times.
“My former employer was maliciously and needlessly maligned and accused of producing a food product that did not exist -- a product derisively, repeatedly, and relentlessly called 'pink slime' by traditional TV broadcast and print media, in concert with social internet media critics, bloggers, politicians, and celebrity entertainers,” Smith said in a statement.