An ammonia-treated ground beef filler has recently been proposed for use in school lunches across the nation. “Pink slime” consists of beef by-products including cow intestines, body fat, connective tissues and other parts that are not used in traditional beef cuts. These parts have raised many concerns, as they are more vulnerable to E. coli and salmonella contamination. Due to this, ammonium hydroxide is applied to pink slime in an effort to kill the bacteria causing such illnesses.

As soon as news of pink slime reached the Internet, the topic went viral, as parents and students alike argued against its use. The controversy caused nationwide petitions to circulate in hopes of banning pink slime from schools, as it is considered unhealthy and dangerous for human consumption.

Arts Director Marilyn McGrath said it isn't harmful.

“It’s not a toxic substance,” said McGrath. “It doesn’t hurt you, as it’s natural, but I would feel that you should have quality food than that.”

It is an option for schools to purchase the less expensive by-product. Schools may purchase pink slime, or opt out of it and purchase costlier pure beef.

“It’d be better if the school didn’t purchase it, but a lot of it is because of cost,” said McGrath. “If the cost went up for pure meat, the student population would pay more for their lunch.”

According to Food Service Director Matt Hoagland, the school’s lunch does not any pink slime products.

“The school lunch has its own budget for the most part and is not part of the school system or town,” said Hoagland. “As long as the state does not drastically raise the cost to us for meat, then we will not have to raise the price of lunch for this reason.”

The codes that correspond to the meat products purchased by Massachusetts are “100161 Beef 100% Patty Frz Ctn 40 LB” and “100158 Beef Fine Ground Frz Ctn 40 LB”, according to the USDA Foods Update created by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs.

Many people of the community are divided on the subject of having pink slime in student lunches.

Sophomore Phil Mathers said that he is strongly opposed to the use of pink slime.

“It’s disgusting,” said Mathers. “There’s no way that I would eat school lunch if that was in it. I’d rather just spend extra time making my own lunch.”

According to the USDA Foods Update, the use of pink slime is a contained procedure with danger to consumers.