U.S.D.A.’s New Regulations for Ground Beef in School Lunches a Welcome Change

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Statement of Diane E. Brown, Executive Director

Arizona PIRG

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new standards for ground beef purchased for the school lunch program beginning in July, 2010.

Arizona PIRG applauds U.S.D.A. Secretary Vilsack for taking strong action to improve the safety of ground beef purchased for the school lunch program.  Thirty million kids participate in the school lunch program each day—they deserve the safest food possible.

By raising the bar for ground beef served in schools and increasing the frequency of testing for contamination, the U.S.D.A. is taking some of the mystery out of the meat on the lunch tray.  This is an important first step and we look forward to continued work to make all food in school cafeterias safer.”

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