CONTINUING COVERAGE: Wegmans Phasing Out Lean Finely Textured Beef

Like the many grocers that have already weighed in on lean finely textured beef (LFTB) in the wake of consumer outcries, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has decided to discontinue sales of products containing the additive.

“We’ve made a decision to stop selling ground beef that contains lean finely textured beef,” said Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman. “Having grown up in the meat business, we have always been proud of our ground beef and eat it ourselves. Because of the sensationalism of this issue, it has become a concern for our customers. Every decision we make is with our customers in mind. Our commitment remains the same. We will continue to source the best-quality ground beef, now without lean finely textured beef.”

Rather than immediately removing LFTB products from sale, however, the company plans to “transition to ground beef without lean finely textured beef, as soon as its available from our supplier,” according to Wegman. “That timeline is now being determined.”

LFTB is also known as boneless lean beef trim (BLBT) or "pink slime."

Family-owned Wegmans operates 79 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts.