SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. -- Governors of three states toured a plant that makes "pink slime" in a bid to persuade grossed-out consumers to accept the processed beef trimmings as safe.

The governors of Texas, Iowa, and Kansas -- and lieutenant governors in Nebraska and South Dakota -- toured the main Beef Products Inc. plant to see how the textured beef product is made.

The politicians spent about 20 minutes witnessing the production in a separate room. Then they donned hair nets and goggles for a tour of the South Sioux City, Neb., plant. They did not taste the product.

The company suspended operations at plants in three states this week amid criticism that the product is an unappetizing example of industrialized food production.

The product meets federal food safety standards.