BRANSTAD PROMOTES BPI

Beef Products Incorporated's fight for the truth continued yesterday. More than 200 Iowa State University students joined Governor Branstad to counter what they call a "smear campaign" against BPI in South Sioux City, who produce finely textured beef.

Branstad spoke to animal science students and others inside, as critics of the beef product gathered outside.

The finely textured beef has just recently drawn wide-spread criticism after being sold in stores and used in school lunches for two decades.

Critics oppose the use of ammonia to treat the product. Supporters, like Branstad, say beef trimmings in question have never made anyone sick.

Outside the lecture hall, the animal science students grilled hamburgers containing the beef product.