SEATTLE – A Washington state schools spokesman said his office “is not aware” of any schools in the state including a meat product known as “pink slime” on their menus.

 The common beef filler is in the news after the USDA decided to allow school districts to opt out of using meat that includes “lean finely textured” beef.

 Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction spokesman Nate Olson said Thursday that one of the state’s major processors, Kings Command, has written a letter saying it does not use the item.

 However, Olson noted that districts can purchase beef through a number of sources and aren’t required to report to OSPI where the beef came from. So Olson said his office can’t say with certainty that there is no “pink slime” in Washington state schools.

Associated Press