Study: Other Foods Contain Ammonia

Here's a surprise for those protesting “pink slime”—or beef trimmings that are ground and then treated with ammonia to kill harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli—ammonia is used in many other food products. U.S. health officials cleared the way 40 years ago for food manufacturers to use the toxic cleanser in their products. Ammonia has been used as a leavening agent in baked goods and as an acidity controller in cheese and chocolate products as well. The outrage at beef processors has already caused one company to file for bankruptcy and another to halt production at three of its four plants.