Beef processor seeks protection of courts as ‘pink slime’ hits demand

American ground beef processor AFA Foods has sought bankruptcy court protection with a plan to sell some assets in the US after media coverage of “pink slime” cut demand for its products.

The Yucaipa member company, based in Pennsylvania, listed assets of $219m (€165m) and debt of $197m (€148m) in the papers filed in US bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Delaware.

Beef Products Inc, an AFA rival that treats boneless lean beef trimmings with ammonia hydroxide to kill pathogens, last week temporarily suspended production at three plants because of consumer concerns about the product, dubbed “pink slime” by food activists.