Vernon Meat Plant Files For Bankruptcy Following 'Pink Slime' Backlash

VERNON (CBS) — A Vernon meat processing plant is shutting down in the wake of nationwide backlash against a sterilizing meat filler known as "pink slime."

Roughly 850 workers at AFA Foods, which is owned by Los Angeles-based private equity firm Yucaipa Cos. and basketball great Magic Johnson, will be layed off Friday.

The Pennsylvania-based company, which is filing for bankruptcy, was already dealing with financial woes. It says things worsened, however, after public outcry over the USDA-approved meat filler, which the company used when it was requested by customers.

AFA supplies beef to Safeway, Wendy's, Wal-Mart, Burger King and Carl's Jr., putting out more than 500 million pounds a year.